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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Letting Chicago State Suffer for Lawmaker Sins 'Absolutely Wrong': Rahm

NAVY PIER — The lack of state funding threatening to close Chicago State University has drawn the attention of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who laid the blame squarely on Springfield pols, including Gov. Bruce Rauner.

It's "absolutely wrong" that state legislators have yet to deliver budgets to public universities, including Chicago State, the biggest recipient of Chicago Public Schools graduates, Emanuel said Wednesday. The mayor spoke about his own recent experience sending his son off to college, a watershed family moment Chicago State parents may soon be unable to share. 

"Rather than parents enjoying" that moment, Emanuel said, "we're literally escorting them out the doors at Chicago State."

The remarks came just a few days after the Roseland university canceled spring break and later issued layoff notices to all its staff. Those moves came as Rauner and Springfield legislators continue to tangle over a state budget that has yet to be approved. 

The potential lack of opportunity only compounds the problems for Chicago State students, many of whom already have grown up with enough adversity in their lives, Emanuel said.

The remarks came after Emanuel's announcement of a new stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Navy Pier. The mayor brought up the Chicago State issue after media presented a reported comparison Tuesday night between Rauner and Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump.