CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says Chicago Public Schools teachers will have to give up some benefits in upcoming pension system negotiations or run the risk of layoffs.
Cullerton made the assertion Monday during a public affairs forum in Chicago. It comes as the Legislature prepares to address Chicago schools’ underfunded pension system.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, told the City Club that Chicago’s public school pension payment is expected to swell from $417 million paid last year to $613 million. He says most of the money will come out of the classroom, “resulting in drastic teacher layoffs and increased class sizes.”
Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey says the union is open to working with Cullerton, but additional revenue must be part of the discussion.
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Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, https://www.suntimes.com/index
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