Emanuel to send kids to private schools

CHICAGO, July 21 (UPI) -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he and his wife this autumn will send their children to private schools instead of Chicago's public schools.

Leah, Ilana and Zach Emanuel will attend the University of Chicago Lab School -- the same school President Barack Obama's daughters attended before their move to Washington after their father was elected, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

"We're aware of the announcement and we're happy to welcome all of our children in September. We are making no statement at this time; that's up to the mayor," said Kay Kirkpatrick, the school's assistant director.

The mayor's children attended private schools in Chicago and in Washington, the Tribune reported.

During the mayoral campaign, Mayoral candidates during the campaign were asked whether Chicago Public Schools were good enough for their children. Emanuel said at the time he would not commit to any decision, saying he needed to discuss it with his wife, Amy Rule.

The Tribune said the city's former mayors had been criticized for sending their children to private schools as that meant they had no personal stake in the public school system.

Emanuel, like Mayor Richard M. Daley before him, focuses on improving the Chicago Public School system, but said, "If I use my kids' education in any political context I'd be less of a father than I want to be. So it's a personal matter. It's a private issue. It's a decision Amy and I will make as parents, not her as a mother and me as mayor."