CPS teachers head to Springfield to demand more funding

CHICAGO (CBS) — Hundreds of Chicago Public School teachers are headed to Springfield to demand more money for schools.

Teachers pulled off from CPS headquarters early Wednesday morning. Their goal: To ensure Chicago schools are fully funded.

State lawmakers are in their final days of budget talks for the next fiscal year.

Five buses carrying teachers, one from every district-run school, went to Springfield on approved release.

Last week, CPS sent parents a letter stating that the state's current offer would create a $400 million deficit. The teachers union plans to ask for $1 billion more in funding.

Lawmakers say that number is a non-starter.

One staff member says her grandaughter was motivation to demand more funding from the state.

"I was motivated because I have a granddaughter that's a special needs student, and I want to be able to support her in what she's doing, and I want to be able to put her in a school that has the resources that she needs. And all our schools need those resources," said Bessie Watts, Chicago Teachers Union member.

Illinois currently offers up to $14 billion for all schools, grades K-12.

The latest budget plans would add $500 million.