CPS plan is just more poaching from suburbs

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's attempt to obtain money to deal with the Chicago Public Schools funding shortfall is merely a smoke screen for a larger poaching of the state taking effect in Chicago.

The state has invested substantial capital in the last few decades attempting to attract business into suburban communities. Three companies have left for Chicago in the last year, including Shuamburg's Motorola, Northfield's Kraft Heinz, and Oak Brook's McDonald's. At the same time, Emanuel is attempting to compel the state of Illinois to offset the Chicago Public School systems' debt that he helped orchestrate through business deals like the ones set up by him and current Gov. Bruce Rauner, but it certainly does not sound like a good business model for the state to invest money into Chicago's public schools while the city is claiming businesses - and their assets - from Illinois communities outside of the metropolitan area.

This budget fiasco makes no ethical or financial sense; neither does Emanuel's appeal. What other malfeasance isn't being addressed?

That children and teachers and families in the CPS system are being used a bargaining chip in what is ultimately a much larger economic game is insulting to the people of both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.

We need a budget, but we also need an accounting of the crimes committed that cost more than the money being publicly sought.

Charity Colleen Crouse

Chicago