Chance The Rapper Donates $1M To Chicago Schools As Governor, Legislature Fight Over Budget

Chance the Rapper, dissatisfied with a meeting he had with Illinois’ governor last week about funding Chicago schools, took action Monday, writing a $1 million check to support arts programming.

Chicago Public Schools need $215 million to help make a required $721 million payment to its pension fund due in June to avoid having to trim the school year by two weeks this year, but the overall state budget stalemate in Springfield has hamstrung efforts to ease the financial problem.

The district already cut $46 million from its budget this year after Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the $215 million on which the district had been counting.

Chance, a product of Chicago Public Schools whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, held a news conference at Westcott Elementary School on the South Side to announce his donation.

“Governor Rauner can use his executive power to help get Chicago’s children the resources they need to fulfill their God-given right to learn,” Chance said. “Governor Rauner still won’t commit to give Chicago’s kids a chance without caveats or ultimatums.

“Governor Rauner, do you job.”

Former first lady Michelle Obama tweeted her approval of Chance’s action.

Rauner’s office seemed to downplay the rapper’s donation, saying it would do little to solve the district’s problems.

Rauner has been locked in a two-year budget battle with the Legislature that shows no signs of abating. The result has been worsening state finances as the backlog of bills grows and the pension fund deficit increases.

The rapper chided the governor for breaking “his promise to Chicago children.”

“Our kids should not be held hostage because of political positioning,” Chance said. “This isn’t about politics. This isn’t about posturing. This is about taking care of the kids. Everybody and their momma knows about what’s going on in Chicago … but we’re about to enhance the conversation.”

Chance said the money he’s donating, which will be divided among 10 schools, will come from ticket sales for an upcoming tour.

The Rauner administration is reluctant to bail out the schools, saying the city must take responsibility for years of mismanagement. The city and schools already have raised property taxes. Rauner critics also note the state school funding formula penalizes Chicago schools, which not only covers its own pensions but has to contribute to pensions for other school districts.

Some Westcott students were inspired by Chance’s appearance.

“When I make it, I’m going to give back to where I came from,” Parrick Clark, 13, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “And I’m going to stay focused so I can come back.”

Principal Monique Dockery praised the rapper, saying the action “speaks a lot to his character. It takes a special kind of person to be where he is and to choose to do something like this.”