Amid CPS budget crisis, Johnson insists protecting teachers and students is sole focus

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Mayor Johnson says reports that some Chicago Board members are thinking of resigning amid pressure from him are just rumors. But, he doesn't deny his intention to steer Chicago Public Schools (CPS) through the current budget crisis.

After a neighborhood event in Little Village Wednesday, Mayor Johnson took questions about the tension over CPS and again denied that he was trying to force any school board members or anyone else out at CPS.

“They have a responsibility to take care of their workers and that includes their retirement, got to pay for it, right?” Johnson said. “Previous administrations decided they weren’t going to pay pensions, I’m not going to do that. But, we’ve also said not only do we have to make sure that we’re not cutting into our workforce and that we have to take care of our workers, making sure they have retirement, [but] we have to invest in our children, you all.”

He said he will do whatever is necessary to preserve the system’s programs and personnel. Does he want an eventual elected school board more aligned with him?

“The alignment with me is the alignment with the people of Chicago,” Johnson insisted. “The people of Chicago voted for a public school teacher. They voted for a parent. They have one of their own in office. As we transition into the next phase, of course when we get to that point, we’ll have those conversations, but we’re not at that point right now.”

The budget crunch, he admits, is now.

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