Governor vetoes Chicago schools bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner used his veto power Tuesday to strip millions of dollars for Chicago Public Schools from a school funding overhaul.

The move could mean that no districts get state money before classes begin this year.

Among the rewrites, the Republican removed help for Chicago Public Schools’ pensions along with money the district formerly received in the form of a block grant.

“With my changes, Illinois can achieve historic education funding reform that is fair and equitable to all Illinois’ children,” Rauner said at a Capitol news conference.

The bill now returns to the Democrat-controlled Legislature, where a three-fifths vote in both chambers is needed to either override Rauner’s changes or approve them to be able to send money to schools this year. If neither chamber can get the votes, or if there’s no vote within 15 days from when the veto is filed with the Senate, the legislation dies.

Ahead of Rauner’s news conference, Democrats warned that any veto would undo years of work aimed at overhauling a school-funding formula that’s considered the most inequitable in the nation.

A new school formula is required as part of a state budget deal that legislators approved in July over Rauner’s veto, ending an impasse that reached a third year. Without the new school funding legislation, districts won’t get paid. The first payment to schools is due Aug. 10.