Protesters storm meeting on Chicago school closures

Protesters of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to close dozens of city schools have been removed from a school board meeting in Chicago and from the state Capitol in Springfield.

The Chicago Board of Education was discussing the issue Wednesday and planned to vote. About a dozen protesters were taken away from the meeting by security and Chicago police. Some linked arms and began singing, refusing to leave.

In Springfield, a handful of protesters blocked the entrance to the House, where lawmakers were meeting. An Illinois State Capitol Police spokesman says eight protesters were led away and agreed to leave the Capitol. There were no arrests.

Emanuel says the closures will help the district close a roughly $1 billion budget shortfall. But opponents say they’ll create safety problems for students.