* From Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s press conference…

But one thing that I can tell you for sure, though, we have partners in Springfield that believe that we need to invest more in our public schools throughout the state of Illinois. And you know how I know they believe it? Because they agreed to a law that I helped pass… Hold on, slow down. Stay with me. I’ve been here long enough. Anyways, you might just wait a few more minutes.

So this evidence-based funding model that allows for equity the state’s calculation is $3.6 billion of which $1.1 billion is dedicated for the people of Chicago. So this board and the people of Chicago, my administration, will continue to advocate in Springfield for more resources as far as what we are prepared and willing to do to ensure that every single child gets what they deserve. Everything is on the table.

* In reality, the CTU, for which Johnson worked, fought hard against that EBF bill because it included the Invest in Kids program. August 25, 2017…

The Chicago Teachers Union issued the following statement today amidst reports that Senate Bill 1 has been scrapped in favor of a bipartisan funding agreement involving school vouchers.

“Senate Bill 1 was designed to fix the inequitable school funding formula for the state of Illinois and remedy the state’s position as last in the nation for education. This current deal is a naked attempt by billionaire right-wing ideologue Gov. Bruce Rauner to push through a reverse Robin Hood scheme that siphons money from poor school districts and lets the wealthy avoid paying their fair share in taxes.

“The Chicago Teachers Union, along with a broad-based group of education organizations throughout the state, rejects this latest scheme and calls on legislators to vote this idea down.

“Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s shameful, tacit support of school vouchers continues to prove that he should have never been given the privilege of heading our school district. Under his leadership, our school communities are under the pressure of payday loans that take the form of $1.5 million per day in interest payments to Wall Street banks—money that could better be used for trauma counselors, pre-kindergarten teachers and school support personnel.”

* August 29, 2017…

The Chicago Teachers Union issued the following statement tonight following the passage of an education funding bill laden with a voucher incentive out of the Illinois House:

“Tonight’s vote for a voucher scheme for the state of Illinois is disappointing, and the worst assault on public education since mayoral control of schools was granted in 1995. We are now firmly in line with the President Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos privatization agenda.

“We have a new funding formula and more revenue for our schools. These are substantial achievements, despite Gov. Bruce Rauner’s incompetence and Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s impotent ability to provide direction from City Hall. Unfortunately, Illinois legislators have voted to ‘reform’ the worst school funding system in the country with a ticking time bomb of a voucher scheme, and the Illinois Democratic Party has crossed a line which no spin or talk of ‘compromise’ can ever erase.

“The Illinois Senate votes tomorrow. We urge them to reject vouchers and keep public funds for public schools, and not a tax break for the wealthy.”

Many of those who voted “No” were Democrats in both the House and the Senate. More on the House’s roll call is here.

On the day the bill was signed into law, the union did call it “a step in the right direction.”