Lilly Fights to Bring Accountability to CPS with Elected School Board

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local parents will have more control over their children’s education under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, creating an elected representative Chicago school board.

“It is time we push for progressive change that puts the voices of parents on the school board versus appointing members who are not held accountable to families,” said Lilly. “Parents and students deserve accountability and this legislation would put us on a path to provide better educational opportunities to our children.”

Lilly has long advocated for bringing accountability and transparency to Chicago Public School’s (CPS) board of education, and she is fighting for this change with House Bill 2267. The measure would change the current mayor-appointed board to an elected one, whereby neighborhood residents are empowered to elect board members who would be accountable to them. Currently, the board is entirely appointed by the mayor with no public input on those appointments.

“This is about putting families in charge, because they know what is best for their child’s development,” said Lilly. “Empowering local families to elect someone to fight on their behalf will bring much needed oversight, transparency and accountability to an entity that desperately needs it.”