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Claypool Denounces Latest School Funding Proposal From Springfield

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Schools CEO Forrest Claypool Tuesday denounced the latest statewide school funding proposal, saying it is a conscious effort to bankrupt the Chicago Public Schools.

The proposal would give Chicago's schools $74 million less than last year, when its state aid was cut by $106 million. By contrast, Claypool said, the new formula would grant public school districts in Winnetka, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Park Ridge and Yorkville more money.

Chicago is not the only local loser under the Rauner formula. Claypool singled out North Chicago.

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Rauner responded by saying Claypool and the legislature's Democratic leadership are merely jockeying for a tax hike and said he won't give in.

"That is wrong. That is baloney," the governor said.

State education officials said systems losing money have either lower enrollment or fewer students living in poverty.

Claypool said the changes in Chicago are minute by comparison with the amount cut.

Statewide, the amount of money dedicated to education spending under the proposal would increase by $120 million.

Rauner has offered bankruptcy as an option for the Chicago system for more than a year, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel has ruled out any consideration of such a move.

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