Why Claypool had to go as Emanuel's CPS chief
Forrest Claypool
One by one  school board members  religious leaders and even Mayor Rahm Emanuel stepped to the microphone to praise soon-to-be-former Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool.
“I’ve known  Forrest  for 30-plus years  the whole time in my life of public life and public service  and I want to thank  Forrest  for  his  exemplary service to the city of Chicago. Wherever  he  has worked  he  has left an incredible and indelible mark on every endeavor ” a visibly tired Emanuel said. “I can say  he  can walk out with  his  head high  because  he  did a job well. And  he  will always be my friend.”
Six attorneys ultimately recommended that Marmer shouldn't manage the contract because he has received about $200 000 a year in severance payments from the firm he used to work at.  Claypool  turned to a seventh attorney — a longtime contact and political donor — who blessed the situation.
In the process   Claypool  asked veteran labor attorney James Franczek to reword a bill for his legal advice to disguise its original purpose  according to the report. In interviews with the IG during the investigation   Claypool  “unequivocally  emphatically and repeatedly” denied he had asked Franczek to make changes to the bill  and said “he would never have been involved in such lowly billing matters.”
But last month  in a letter to the IG's office   Claypool  apologized for intervening to reword the invoice.  Claypool 's letter acknowledged Inspector General Nicholas Schuler had documents that contradicted the CEO's initial claim.
With that  the mayor bid  Claypool  a very public adieu.
Fairley said  Claypool ’s departure was “the only way forward.”
As word of  Claypool ’s resignation spread  members of the Chicago Teachers Union  community activists and some aldermen celebrated.  Claypool    they  said  did not listen to teachers about the realities inside the city’s schools and the impact sharp budget cuts and privatization contracts had on their operations.
“I think it showed a lack of political courage. What you saw was a mayor whose first impulse was to back up his friend  despite  Forrest ’s many failings  despite the lack of credibility  Forrest  has with people who matter most — parents  teachers and educators ” Sharkey said. “And then you see him quickly drop  Forrest  as soon as it seems like there is political heat and ramifications back on the mayor. Where’s the courage there?”
Though he called on  Claypool  to resign  Ruiz stopped short of criticizing Emanuel for standing by his ally. The mayor and  Claypool  have known each other for 37 years  dating back to when the two 20-somethings worked on a Downstate congressional campaign.
One by one  school board members  religious leaders and even Mayor Rahm Emanuel stepped to the microphone to praise [TGT].
“I’ve known  Forrest  for 30-plus years  the whole time in my life of public life and public service  and I want to thank  Forrest  for  his  exemplary service to the city of Chicago. Wherever  he  has worked  he  has left an incredible and indelible mark on every endeavor ” a visibly tired Emanuel said. “I can say  he  can walk out with  his  head high  because  he  did a job well. And  he  will always be my friend.”
Six attorneys ultimately recommended that Marmer shouldn't manage the contract because he has received about $200 000 a year in severance payments from the firm he used to work at.  [TGT]turned to a seventh attorney — a longtime contact and political donor — who blessed the situation.
In the process   [TGT]asked veteran labor attorney James Franczek to reword a bill for his legal advice to disguise its original purpose  according to the report. In interviews with the IG during the investigation   [TGT]“unequivocally  emphatically and repeatedly” denied he had asked Franczek to make changes to the bill  and said “he would never have been involved in such lowly billing matters.”
But last month  in a letter to the IG's office   Claypool  apologized for intervening to reword the invoice.  [TGT] 's letter acknowledged Inspector General Nicholas Schuler had documents that contradicted the CEO's initial claim.
With that  the mayor bid  Claypool  a very public adieu.
Fairley said  Claypool ’s departure was “the only way forward.”
As word of  Claypool ’s resignation spread  members of the Chicago Teachers Union  community activists and some aldermen celebrated.  [TGT]they  said  did not listen to teachers about the realities inside the city’s schools and the impact sharp budget cuts and privatization contracts had on their operations.
“I think it showed a lack of political courage. What you saw was a mayor whose first impulse was to back up his friend  despite  [TGT] ’s many failings  despite the lack of credibility  [TGT]has with people who matter most — parents  teachers and educators ” Sharkey said. “And then you see him quickly drop  [TGT]as soon as it seems like there is political heat and ramifications back on the mayor. Where’s the courage there?”
Though he called on  Claypool  to resign  Ruiz stopped short of criticizing Emanuel for standing by his ally. The mayor and  Claypool  have known each other for 37 years  dating back to when the two 20-somethings worked on a Downstate congressional campaign.