Chicago Urban League President and CEO Shari Runner Responds to Governor Rauner’s Remarks about Chicago Public Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2016
CONTACT: Chelsea Whittington, External Affairs Manager
(773) 451-3524
cwhittington@thechicagourbanleague.org
Chicago Urban League President and CEO Shari Runner Responds
CHICAGO, Ill. — Chicago Urban League President and CEO Shari Runner released the following statement in response to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s comments about Chicago Public Schools:
“The Chicago Urban League is outraged by the remarks Governor Rauner made today comparing Chicago Public Schools to ‘crumbling prisons.’ Not only is calling our schools ‘prisons’ unhelpful during such a critical time, the remarks were insensitive and racially divisive, reflective of the political gamesmanship that is being played on the backs of our black and brown children in the city of Chicago. There is absolutely no place for this kind of incendiary rhetoric that perpetuates a stereotypical narrative, especially given the school-to-prison pipeline that plagues our city.
Furthermore, it is not helpful to spew divisive rhetoric when our children’s futures are being threatened by a broken funding system that disproportionately affects students of color and those from low-income families. Illinois is nearly last in overall education funding when compared to its counterparts nationally, and is dead last in funding equitably for low-income/needy children. Our students and our city deserve better.”
About the Chicago Urban League
Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League works for economic, educational and social progress for African Americans and promotes strong sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration and innovation. For more information, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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