The Latest: House speaker says governor veto creates crisis


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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on a school funding measure in Illinois (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan says Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a school funding bill is choosing "crisis over compromise."

Rauner used his amendatory veto powers Tuesday to rewrite a bill that overhauls how the state distributes money to schools. Rauner objects to pension help and other money for Chicago Public Schools.

The move threatens whether all school districts statewide get money before school starts.

Madigan said in a statement that Democrats will continue to work with Republicans on a plan.

An update of the 20-year-old calculation Illinois uses to disperse funding to public schools is needed because the budget legislators approved last month calls for a new funding formula. There's wide agreement the current formula is unfair, but Republicans and Democrats disagree over how to change it.

The plan returns to the Legislature, where three-fifths majority votes are needed in each chamber to overrule or agree with the governor.

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11:50 a.m.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is blasting Gov. Bruce Rauner's rewrite of a school funding proposal that strips money from the city's schools.

In a statement, Emanuel says the Republican governor has ignored "the needs of Illinois' school children" and that the plan only advances Rauner's "own personal brand of cynical politics."

Rauner used his amendatory veto powers to strip money, including pension help, from Chicago Public Schools. He calls his changes more equitable and fair for schools statewide. It returns to the Legislature, where a three-fifths majority is needed in each chamber to overrule Rauner.

An overhaul of the 20-year-old way Illinois doles out funding to public schools is needed because the budget legislators approved last month calls for a new funding formula. There's wide agreement the current calculation is unfair, but Republicans and Democrats disagree over how to change it.

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10:45 a.m.

Gov. Bruce Rauner says the way public schools get money in Illinois will be more "fair and equitable" with his changes to a school funding bill.

The Republican on Tuesday removed help for Chicago Public Schools' pensions along with money the district formerly received in the form of a block grant, and other changes.

The bill now returns to the Legislature, where three-fifths of lawmakers in both chambers must either approve or override Rauner's changes. Both options will be difficult. If neither chamber can muster the votes, the legislation dies.

Ahead Rauner's Capitol news conference, Democrats backing the measure called for Rauner to sign it, instead of rewriting it. State Sen. Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat, says a veto of the bill sets the state "back decades."

Both parties agree the 20-year-old formula Illinois uses to fund schools is unfair, but they disagree over how to change it.

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10:25 a.m.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has used his veto power to strip millions of dollars for Chicago Public Schools from a school funding overhaul in a move that could mean no districts get state money before classes begin.

The Republican on Tuesday removed help for Chicago Public Schools' pensions along with money the district formerly received in the form of a block grant, along with other changes.

Democratic Senate President John Cullerton had urged Rauner to "do the right thing" and sign the legislation.

The bill now returns to the Legislature, where three-fifths of lawmakers in both chambers must either approve or override Rauner's changes. Both options will be difficult. If neither chamber can muster the votes, the legislation dies.

Many districts are concerned about how long schools can stay open without state money.

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12:50 a.m.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected to use his veto power to remove some money for Chicago Public Schools from a school funding bill — a move that could jeopardize funding for Illinois' roughly 850 districts.

Democrats on Monday sent to Rauner a school funding overhaul they passed in May but held on to over concerns the governor would veto the plan.

Rauner has called the money for Chicago a "bailout" and promised to strip it. He accused Democrats of holding students hostage and threatening the ability of schools to open in a few weeks.

If Rauner makes changes and legislators can't muster enough votes to approve or override them, the legislation dies.

Many districts are concerned schools won't be able to remain open into fall without state money.

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