Gov. Rauner reaffirms call for CPS probe and possible state takeover

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The war of words continues over the control of the Chicago Public Schools.

Governor Bruce Rauner reaffirmed his call for the State Board of Education to investigate CPS after touring a Southwest Side charter school Monday.

"We have a duty to evaluate what's going on in that school district, learn the facts and then decide what's appropriate action to take from there," Rauner said.

Rauner cited evidence of mismanagement and irresponsible decision making at CPS. He said the district, comprising of 400,000 students, would be among six in Illinois currently under state investigation.

He also said the findings could affect CPS' ability to borrow more money.

"The state board has the right, the legal authority to block any debt offerings," he said.

Meanwhile, CPS CEO Forrest Claypool toured a new computer science program at Curie High School. He said the governor should focus on the state's education funding formula. According to Claypool, the process discriminates against children in low-income districts.

"The governor should be about the business of righting that wrong. That should be the first order of business given our kids get one chance at a good education," Claypool said.

The governor, in office only 13 months, says he inherited the state's dysfunctional education funding system.

"I did not create the school funding formula. I just got here. . . This has been in place for decades. And you know who created it? Speaker Madigan and the democrats in the general assembly. They created the school funding formula more than 20 years ago. Not me," said Rauner.

In early February, Rauner ordered a review of CPS finances after calling for a state takeover of the cash-strapped school system, which is currently controlled by the City of Chicago.

The governor conceded that a state takeover of CPS could happen without approval by the democratic-controlled general assembly. He said the state board continues to prepare for a takeover including considering possible superintendent candidates to replace Claypool.