Charter School Students, Advocates Demonstrate At Thompson Center

(CBS) – Thursday's rain didn't stop hundreds of people from gathering in the Loop for a rally in support of full funding for charter schools:

The crowds were mostly students, parents and staff from charter schools in the Chicago area.

They're concerned the budget mess in Springfield will shut down their schools altogether.

CBS 2's Sandra Torres reports on how students at one school are fighting to keep it open.

With the stroke of a paintbrush, students are telling their story. They're also venting their fears.

Nayeli Rivera's fear is that budget cuts at Chicago Public Schools will take away her art program at Aspira Early College High School.

Students painted signs, hopped on buses and joined hundreds at the Thompson Center downtown to voice their concerns.

"We potentially could be losing 40 percent of education funding, which could be devastating for our schools," says Amanda Alpert Knight, who is with Aspira Illinois, a charter network of four schools on the West Side.

CPS CEO Forrest Claypool has said the district can't open its doors without a measure in Springfield; that includes charter schools.

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