SEN. AQUINO STATEMENT ON CPS LAWSUIT VERDICT
04/28/2017
In response to the verdict in the discrimination lawsuit concerning Chicago Public Schools (CPS), State Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:
“I want to be very clear in explaining what this lawsuit is really about. CPS educates almost 20 percent of all students statewide, yet receives 15 percent of state funding. That means that for every dollar the state spends on educating students outside the city limits, a CPS student only gets 74 cents. This lawsuit is about equality.
“Ninety percent of students in CPS are students of color. If we truly believe that education is a solution to inequality, it is time to start acting like it.
“With a Cook County judge ruling against CPS and in favor of Illinois’ discriminatory, worst-in-the-nation school funding formula, Governor Rauner’s political divisiveness and disregard for our communities have full approval to continue.
It is time to reform the school funding formula before Governor Rauner forces a CPS shutdown and anywhere from 2 million to 2.5 million students are unable to go to school.”
“I want to be very clear in explaining what this lawsuit is really about. CPS educates almost 20 percent of all students statewide, yet receives 15 percent of state funding. That means that for every dollar the state spends on educating students outside the city limits, a CPS student only gets 74 cents. This lawsuit is about equality.
“Ninety percent of students in CPS are students of color. If we truly believe that education is a solution to inequality, it is time to start acting like it.
“With a Cook County judge ruling against CPS and in favor of Illinois’ discriminatory, worst-in-the-nation school funding formula, Governor Rauner’s political divisiveness and disregard for our communities have full approval to continue.
It is time to reform the school funding formula before Governor Rauner forces a CPS shutdown and anywhere from 2 million to 2.5 million students are unable to go to school.”
