Community, church leaders demand Rauner fund summer jobs program

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago community and church leaders gathered Thursday morning to call on Governor Bruce Rauner to move forward on a plan to create thousands of jobs for Chicago teenagers.

The group rallied outside the Cook County Jail.

"The state is going to pay one way or another. Either we're gonna pay to bury households, bury kids, or to lock up- kids, or give them an opportunity for a future," said community activist Brian Malone.

The group says state lawmakers approved have approved a summer jobs program that would keep kids off the street this summer, but the $30 million needed for the plan is being held up as part of the state budget stalemate.