D’Amico Brings Accountability to Chicago Public Schools, Passes Legislation Creating an Elected Chicago School Board

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

“The voices of our community need to be heard when it comes to the educational futures of our children,” D’Amico said. “Every other school district in Illinois has a school board that is elected and accountable to residents—there’s no reason we should not have the same representation in Chicago.”

D’Amico 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.

“The decisions made at CPS over the past few decades have led to destructive budget cuts, teacher-layoffs, and even school closures,” D’Amico said. “The status quo is not working for children attending our neighborhood schools, they deserve better.”