Strongman Rahm Emanuel turns emotional in ripping Rauner on school funding

Crain's Chicago Business reports:

In unusually emotional and personal terms, Mayor Rahm Emanuel today lit into Gov. Bruce Rauner over his treatment of and statements about Chicago Public Schools, suggesting the governor is more interested in hobbling than helping them.

Speaking at Crain's Future of Chicago conference, Emanuel said Rauner is "tearing down" school kids and teachers who have made remarkable progress turning around CPS. He went on to accuse the GOP governor of "running down" the city's economy.

In a phone call later to emphasize the point, Emanuel expressed amazement that Rauner recently likened many city schools to "crumbling prisons." Said the mayor rhetorically, "Would you refer to schools as prison?" Schools are "the city's future," Emanuel replied to his own question.

Rauner's response came in the form of a statement from state Education Secretary Beth Purvis, who said the governor "agrees that it would be tragic if the gains made by students in Chicago and across the state are lost," but blames Springfield Democrats for not backing his legislation to fund both.

Emanuel, in his speech, initially appeared a bit rattled after he was repeatedly interrupted by shouting demonstrators protesting the city's policies on housing the homeless.

When he finally got started again, he launched into a series of statistics he frequently cites as proof that CPS is improving, including a graduation rate that has gone from 57 percent of entering freshmen to 73 percent now and is on track to hit 80 percent; the implementation of a longer school day and year; new expansion of International Baccalaureate programs, and improved test scores.

Just a reminder: Rahm Emanuel didn't/doesn't send his children to Chicago Public Schools. Imagine that.