Daley to Springfield: Pleasepleaseplease?

By Kevin Robinson in News on May 29, 2008 2:28PM

With tensions running high downstate over passage of the state budget and capital spending bills, Mayor Daley and schools chief Arne Duncan chimed in Tuesday, warning that a "lack of trust" in Springfield could endanger the quality of life in Chicago. "It's like the Hatfields and McCoys down there, unfortunately. Lack of trust," said the mayor. "I hope they can get around that." Daley and Duncan are hoping the state comes through with an additional $180 million to expand kindergarten, evening classes and foreign-language instruction, as well as other programs in the public schools. Duncan also announced that the school board was canceling its regular meeting this week so that he and other school leaders can head to Springfield to lobby.

If a state budget isn't passed by Saturday the session will head into overtime (sound familiar?). So far the state has offered only half the amount Daley wants. He's said that if Chicago doesn't get the money it wants from legislators, the may raise property taxes (again).

Photo by josephp