Andrade’s Elected Chicago School Board Proposal Passes House

CHICAGO – To give parents a greater voice in their children’s education and make Chicago Public Schools (CPS) more accountable, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, helped pass legislation that would create an elected school board at CPS.

“With CPS facing a serious budget crisis and potentially being forced to end the school year early, it’s obvious that the status quo is not working,” Andrade said. “The last few years we have seen the devastating results of mismanagement at CPS including teacher layoffs, increased class-sizes, and even school closures.”

Andrade voted to pass his legislation, House Bill 1774. His proposal abolishes the unaccountable, mayoral appointed board and replaces it with an elected, 21 member body. During the last municipal election, voters overwhelmingly approved an elected school board with nearly 90 percent of respondents in support of the proposal. The proposed structure of the board would mirror how other Illinois school boards are currently arranged.

“Residents that live in every other school district in the state are able to have a voice in selecting their school board members,” Andrade said. “We should have that same right in Chicago and be able to elect a board that will fight to provide quality educational opportunities for students in our neighborhoods.”

House Bill 1774 passed the full House and is currently awaiting further action in the Senate.