Chicago State is in deep trouble but Bernie Sanders doesn’t get it.

USA Today reports.

Bernie Sanders calls out Illinois for holding higher-ed funds hostage

Bernie Sanders blasted Illinois legislators Thursday night for holding higher-education funds hostage, but he couldn’t stop the inevitable. On Friday, Chicago State University, the site of his rally, announced in a statement that all faculty, staff and administrators will receive a notice of potential layoffs in the event that the state doesn’t pass its budget that funds public universities.

CSU is one of 12 public universities that have gone eight months with no state funding. Chicago State runs out of money on March 1.

“The actions taken today are necessary to fulfill our legal obligation and to make necessary reductions so that we can continue running the University in the absence of state funds,” CSU President Dr. Thomas Calhoun, Jr. said. “It is our sincere hope that the Governor and legislative leaders will do the right thing and provide funding for public universities before these layoffs would have to be executed.”

The school had already canceled its spring break to shorten the semester.

“I come here and find out that this great university is being threatened with cuts. What is going on in America? Where are our priorities?” Sanders said to a cheering crowd within one minute of taking the stage at Chicago State.

“How does it happen that we allow a great city to undergo incredible destruction? How does it happen that we are making it harder for young people to get the education that they need?

“Everybody in this room knows that education is an inherent part of who we are as human beings,” Sanders said. “Why are people being punished for getting a college education? They should be rewarded, not punished. Why is anybody in the world talking about shutting down colleges?”