Lawmakers Back Plan To Balance Chicago Schools' Budget

By Ann Bradley

Illinois lawmakers last week finally approved a legislative package to eliminate the Chicago schools' budget deficit and remove the threat of closure that had hung over the school system for months.

Acting on Nov. 14, the day before the schools were scheduled to shut down again, the legislature approved the plan by the slimmest of margins.

The measure, which passed the House on a 71-to-44 vote, cleared the Senate by a vote of 37 to 19--only one vote more than the number required for it to take effect immediately upon...