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Chance the Rapper to donate $1M to Chicago public schools

By Wade Sheridan
Chance the Rapper arrives for the 59th annual Grammy Awards on February 12. Chance has decided to donate $1 million to Chicago public schools located near where he grew up. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 2 | Chance the Rapper arrives for the 59th annual Grammy Awards on February 12. Chance has decided to donate $1 million to Chicago public schools located near where he grew up. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

March 7 (UPI) -- Chance the Rapper is taking matters into his own hands as he pledges to donate $1 million to Chicago public schools after meeting with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The talks, Fortune reported, broke down between Chance, real name Chancelor Bennett, and Rauner who has vetoed a $215 million funding bill that schools in Chicago were counting on.

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The money, Chance said during a live-streamed press conference at Westcott Elementary School, would go towards after-school and enrichment programs. Funds he said would come from ticket sales of his upcoming tour.

Chance also noted how his donation is a "call to action" for others to get involved as well and that his non-profit organization Social Works would donate an additional $10,000 to a different Chicago school for every $100,000 raised.

"Our kids should not be held hostage because of political position," Chance said during the press conference. "Gov. Rauner, do your job."

Chance's donation has caught the attention of former first lady Michelle Obama who wrote on Twitter, "Thanks @chancetherapper for giving back to the Chicago community, which gave us so much. You are an example of the power of arts education."

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