Chance the Rapper made a huge move for public schools in his hometown of Chicago. The singer/songwriter announced that he made a $1 million donation to the Chicago Public School Foundation.
Chance met with Governor Bruce Rauner late last week to discuss funding options for public schools. However, in his press conference at Westcott Elementary School on Monday afternoon, the artist said the meeting was "unsuccessful."
After the disappointment, he posted on his Twitter account, "Chicago Public Schools and I did not lose today. Please don't let that become the narrative. Monday morning I'll have a plan."
He shared that plan in a press conference on Monday, March 6 using live feeds on Instagram and Twitter, the CPS graduate said that nothing would stop him from supporting Chicago's most valuable resource: children.
"Today, I'm proud to announce," he began, "that I am donating $1 million to CPS to support arts and enrichment programming."
In addition to the $1 million donation, Chance plans to give out an additional $10,000 donation to select local schools.
"Our kids should not be held hostage because of political positioning."
According to the Chicago Tribune, even though Gov. Rauner and his wife made $7 million in both personal or charitable donations from their foundation to Chicago Public Schools, he was unable to pass the legislation needed to cover a $215 million budget gap, which means if the state courts do not intervene school will end early, putting children already living in at risk situations on the streets for an additional two weeks. These cuts are on top of many other support systems like tutoring being slashed due to lack of funds.
On top of his large donation, Chance also urged others to join the fight "take care of [Chicago] kids." In fact, he mentioned how this was not about politics. He concluded his powerful message with this call to action:
"As a private citizen, as a parent and as a product of CPS, I'm asking that you guys join and fight with me, organize with me, mobilize with me, for the interest of the children of Chicago. This is the very beginning."