What the Byrd-Bennett charges mean for CPS

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Barbara Byrd-Bennett's indictment comes as Chicago Public Schools need millions of dollars in state money to avoid threatened teacher cuts.

So what does the scandal mean for the school district?

U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon, whose office has convicted state, county and city officials, said this about the Byrd-Bennett bribery indictment:

"I find it particularly troubling when that corruption impacts a school system and I think that makes today's indictment significant even in the pantheon of corruption charges in the history of this district," Fardon said.

Most critical to the nearly bankrupt CPS is how the charge will play in Springfield. CPS wants state lawmakers to send it half a billion dollars in aid before the end of the calendar year or the district will lay off thousands of teachers.

CEO Forrest Claypool said lawmakers should not the let the indictment affect their decision.

"I do not think it reflects on CPS. It reflects on the individual who committed these acts," Claypool said.

But downstate and suburban lawmakers, many of them already CPS skeptics, say the Byrd-Bennett case will make a "yes" vote on an emergency aid bill more difficult.

"We want to know where the money goes. Until you get rid of the corruption and the wasteful spending that's already occurring, then we have no desire to send you anymore money," said State Rep. Jeanne Ives.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who hired Byrd-Bennett in 2012, issued a statement saying "CPS students, parents, teachers and principals deserve better."

But a Republican state lawmaker said "better" in his view, might be his bill that would allow local governments to declare chapter nine bankruptcy.

"Certainly, there is a case to be made that CPS is beyond fixable," said State Rep. Ron Sandack.

There still is no CPS aid bill introduced in Springfield. The district says it could begin issuing layoff notices as soon as late November - if by then - no funding bill has been approved.