SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – This session, state Rep. Aaron Ortiz, D-Chicago, worked to provide working families much-needed tax relief, increase wages, protect access to health care for Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions, ensure an elected Chicago School Board, protect immigrant families from Trump’s deportation officers and combat senseless gun violence.

“Families in my community, are struggling to make ends meet, which is why I voted to ensure a living wage of $15 an hour and to provide them much needed tax relief,” Ortiz said. “A Fair Tax will ensure the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share so we could invest in our neighborhoods and build a stronger Illinois.” 

Ortiz supported the Fair Tax, which provides tax relief for 99.9% of local families in his community and ensures billionaires and millionaires to pay their fair share. Illinois’s tax system is one of the most unfair in the nation, and the Ortiz-backed will ensure Illinois is able to local neighborhood schools, domestic violence shelters, and health care services for seniors. 

Committed to lifting up working families, Ortiz supported Senate Bill 1, which increased the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 per hour. According to the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, this plan will generate $19 billion in new economic activity every year, while also lifting hundreds of thousands of families out of poverty and helping parents provide new opportunities for their children

Ortiz also championed House Bill 3487 to promote health care enrollment given the Trump Administration’s attacks on the Affordable Care Act. Under Ortiz’s proposal, hospitals are required to display information for patients to learn how to enroll for health insurance through the state’s marketplace. Ortiz also backed Senate Bill 2026, which would prevent the State from applying for waivers being pushed by the Trump Administration that would expand coverage options that are less comprehensive and less affordable.  

“Health care is a human right, so it is on us to expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Illinoisans,” Ortiz said. “While some politicians are trying to take coverage away from people with pre-existing conditions, I worked to protect access to lifesaving care, regardless of medical history, immigration status, or income.”

Additionally, Ortiz was a vocal supporter of legislation to make the Chicago School Board an elected board in order to increase transparency and representation of local neighborhoods in the decision making process. Ortiz also led the charge on Senate Bill 172, which would ensure diverse representation on the University of Illinois’ board of trustees by allowing students like Dreamers, to serve on the board. 

“As a former school counselor, I know firsthand the importance of investing in our schools and our students,” Ortiz added. “Representation matters, which is why initiatives it is crucial to ensure local families are able to serve on the school board and that students of all backgrounds have a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions for the future of their university.”

Ortiz also backed Senate Bill 1290, which creates the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act to ensure landlords are not able to discriminate against their tenants based on their immigration status. Under this plan, landlords will be prohibited from threatening, harassing, or disclosing a tenant’s citizenship status to any immigration or law enforcement. Additionally, Ortiz worked to ensure local law enforcement cannot enter into agreements with Trump’s deportation officers to tear apart local immigrant families and their loved ones.

“Donald Trump’s bigoted agenda has made communities like mine, vulnerable to discrimination,” Ortiz said.

“I’m proud to have supported measures that put in place state-level protections to combat extremist politicians and ensure that immigrant families are able to go about their everyday lives in peace.” 

Lastly, Ortiz worked to prevent senseless violence in his community by supporting Senate Bill 1966, which makes mandatory background checks more stringent by closing the person-to-person background check loophole. Among other things, the measure clarifies when a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card can be revoked due to an individual taking any actions that cause harm to others; and allocates money to both school-based and community based mental health programs.

“Our neighborhoods are plagued by violence, so we must work to ensure guns do not end up in the hands of criminals,” Ortiz said. “This is a commonsense reform that will improve background checks and invest in mental services to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, recently helped pass legislation to increase accountability of the Chicago School Board by giving voting power to Chicago families.

“It is past due that our community is given say in the system that educates our children,” Andrade said. “Decades of mismanagement which have resulted in school closures, scandal, and harm to our children must come to an end by holding those who make the decisions accountable.”

Andrade is chief cosponsor of House Bill 2267 which changes the current composition of the Chicago Public School’s (CPS) board of education from a 7 member mayor-appointed board to a 21 member elected board. The bill would divide Chicago into 20 districts which would each elect a representative onto the board. The body would then elect someone to serve as President of the Board.  This measure will help bring accountability and transparency to CPS by giving voters a say in the decisions the board makes in the education of their children.

“One of our most important responsibilities is ensuring the next generation is given the tools they need to succeed. That is why it is critical that parents are given a seat at the table,” Andrade said. “This legislation is an opportunity to put us on the right path to fix a flawed system and do right by our children.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is fighting to give parents control of their local schools by passing legislation that changes Chicago’s appointed school board into an elected, representative school board that answers to local families and taxpayers instead of insiders.

“The families I represent on Chicago’s west side aren’t being heard by Chicago’s appointed school board even appointed insiders close schools in communities of color, raise taxes, and pile on more debt,” Lilly said. “My bill gives my families the power to choose who is best for their local schools, and take back control of our children’s education.”

A long-time advocated for accountability and transparency on Chicago Public School’s (CPS) board of education, Lilly voted to pass House Bill 2267, which creates a new 21-member elected school board replacing the current appointed board. Board members would be elected to four-year terms serving districts of equal population beginning in 2023. Chicago is the only school district in Illinois that does not elect its school board.

Lilly’s bill garnered near unanimous bipartisan support and advances to the Illinois Senate.

“This progressive reform is long overdue, and this corrects a past wrong that was enacted more the 20 years ago,” Lilly added. “Parents have a better understanding of what their child needs at school. This bill recognizes that Chicago families deserve the same say in their children’s education as every other parent in Illinois.”

CHICAGO – Following his commitment to strengthen local schools, state Rep. Lamont Robinson, Jr., D-Chicago, voted this week to make the Chicago School Board an elected body.

“Chicago is the only school district in the state that has an appointed school board,” Robinson said. “We’ve seen over and over again that our current school board has not put in the time and effort necessary to make sure that students in our community have everything they need in their schools to succeed. An elected school board will allow local residents from our neighborhood to properly advocate for the needs of our children.”

Currently, members of the Chicago Board of Education are appointed by the mayor of Chicago. Robinson’s House Bill 2267 would change Chicago’s current appointed board into an elected one starting with the 2023 municipal election. Registered voters with residency in the Chicago electoral district for at least one year immediately preceding the election would be eligible to run for a board member position. The legislation would split Chicago into 20 districts that would each elect a representative for the board. Additionally, the measure calls on the General Assembly to review and make any necessary improvements or changes to the structure of the elected school board in 2029.

“Our neighborhoods and students have been disproportionately impacted by decisions of the current school board that closed local schools, increased class sizes and didn’t bring important resources to our classrooms,” Robinson added. “I believe that a school board that represents our community will help bring many much needed resources to our teachers and students.”

For more information about legislation or upcoming events, contact state Rep. Robinson’s constituent service office at District5Rep@LamontJRobinson.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, supported legislation to give local parents a voice in their children’s education by requiring members of the Chicago School Board to be elected by local residents.

“I believe parents and community members are the best advocates for local schools, and it’s time that we grant them the authority to elect school board members who are responsible for making important decisions regarding education in Chicago,” said Slaughter. “Our children and their parents deserve a school board that represents our community and is truly aware of our students’ needs. This legislation will place us on the right path to secure a bright future for local families.”

Slaughter’s House Bill 2267 would change the current mayor-appointed board to an elected one, starting with the 2023 municipal election. The legislation would split Chicago into 20 districts that would each elect a representative for the board.  This measure will help bring accountability and transparency to the Chicago Public School’s (CPS) board of education. Additionally, the measure calls on the General Assembly to review and make any necessary improvements or changes to the structure of the elected school board in 2029.

“This legislation will help us reach the oversight, transparency, and accountability that the Chicago School Board desperately needs,” said Slaughter. “I am proud to support legislation that gives a voice to the parents and children whose lives and future education depends on the decisions made by this 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.”

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

“The status quo at CPS is not working for our neighborhood schools, students or teachers,” D’Amico said. “Decades of mismanagement at CPS have led to slashed budgets, teacher layoffs and increased classroom sizes. Children in our neighborhoods deserve better.”

D’Amico has signed on as a cosponsor of 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.

“When CPS is forced to sue the state due to a lack of resources and unfair funding formula, something is clearly wrong,” D’Amico said. “Our communities, just like every other school district in the state, deserve to have their voices heard and hold decision makers accountable.”

A similar piece of legislation passed the House of Representative last year, yet was unable to pass the Senate.  House Bill 1774 is currently awaiting a vote in the Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum and Policies Committee.