Area legislator opposed to Chicago school bailout

<p class="p1">In a response to efforts being made by Chicago politicians to bailout Chicago Public Schools, CPS, State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said Feb. 16 that he was launching a petition drive to garner community support for his efforts to oppose any type of Chicago bailout.</p><p class="p1">“It is frustrating that as soon as Chicago cries for help because they messed up their own finances that Southern Illinois is expected to pick up the pieces and bailout them out,” Phelps said in a news release. </p><p class="p1">“The money earned by hard-working residents here in Southern Illinois should stay here and not be sent up to Chicago bureaucrats who are just trying to line their pockets.”</p><p class="p1">Phelps said that legislation recently was introduced that would allow the Illinois State Board of Education to take over CPS and give financial oversight to an appointed authority. </p><p class="p1">Phelps said that Gov. Bruce Rauner has voiced support for the plan and has authorized the agency to prepare a strategy for change. </p><p class="p1">This deal will allow CPS to declare bankruptcy, forcing Southern Illinois to foot the bill for their bailout, Phelps said.</p><p class="p1">Phelps said he has made it very clear that he is against this bailout. The Southern Illinois legislator said he believes that the schools in his region need more funding to better educate students and ensure they succeed. </p><p class="p1">To help gain community support in his fight against the bailout, Phelps has started a petition drive asking residents to join him in fighting against the governor’s plan to support Chicago’s failed school system. </p><p class="p1">Residents can sign Phelps’ petition to oppose the CPS bailout online at www.nochicagobailout.com/phelps, by contacting his full-time constituent service office at 618-253-4189 or emailing bphelps118@gmail.com.</p><p class="p1">“We should not be expected to help out Chicago in their failing school system when Southern Illinois is in need of increased education funding for our own schools,” Phelps said.</p><p class="p1">"We need to stand together and protect our resources from going to Chicago’s greedy hands. I hope you will join me in my fight and will give my office a call and add your name to my petition.”</p><p class="p1">Phelps represents the 118th District in the Illinois General Assembly, which includes all or portions of Alexander, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union counties.</p>