Social Media

Chance the Rapper Calls Out Rauner Over MAP Grants

Local rapper calls out governor's handling of MAP grants for low-income students

Famed Chicago hip-hop artist Chance the Rapper took to Twitter Tuesday to ask Gov. Bruce Rauner not to veto the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant legislation.

Chance, whose real name is Chancellor Bennett, pleaded with Rauner via social media, tweeting at him to "Give Us Back Our Education" and "Leave Chicago State Alone."

Within hours of posting, Bennett's tweet received nearly 1,500 likes and nearly 900 retweets.

The pleas come after a spokesperson for Rauner's administration told Ward Room the governor plans to veto the bill, which would provide Rauner with the authority to fund MAP financial aid grants for low-income students at the state's universities and community colleges. 

The tweet was one of many Bennett directed at Rauner Tuesday.

"Dear [Rauner], PLEASE DO NOT VETO TOMRROW. #MAPMatters," another tweet read.

As of Tuesday afternoon, that tweet had received over 900 likes and nearly 800 retweets.

State universities and community colleges have suffered greatly as a result of the state’s eight-month-long budget impasse. Institutions of higher education in Illinois are unsure if they will be able to continue to front money for MAP grants.

Chicago State University is among the institutions struggling financially due to the stalemate. Last week, the Board of Trustees voted to declare a financial crisis, clearing the way for the school's president and school leaders to make drastic cuts. 

Despite the fervor on social media, Bennett continued to lobby Rauner for a response.

"Please acknowledge us, [Rauner]. Engage us and explain you [sic] budgeting ideas and your plands for our higher education," he tweeted.

Bennett performed on Saturday Night Live last week with Kanye West. It was his second appearance on the late night show in the last year.

He is the son of Ken Williams-Bennett, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Williams-Bennett previously worked for Harold Washington and Barack Obama. 

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