CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is fighting to give families a voice in their children’s education by passing legislation creating an elected representative school board to lead the Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

“When it comes to Chicago’s school board, parents across our city feel powerless and voiceless when it comes to the education of their children,” Harper said. “An elected school board is the answer to that concern. Empowering residents to guide our schools is the right course of action to allow our children to meet their full potential.”

Currently, the Chicago Board of Education members are appointed by the mayor of Chicago. Harper’s House Bill 1774 would change Chicago’s current appointed board into an elected one starting with the 2019 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. House Bill 1774 would split Chicago into 20 districts that would each elect a representative for the board. Additionally, voters would select one at-large board member city-wide to serve as the board president.

“This measure will transfer power from an executive to the people, who ought to be trusted on how to teach their own children,” said Harper.

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, Ill. – To provide the public with greater control in making decisions for their neighborhood schools, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, recently announced support for legislation that would convert Chicago Board of Education from an appointed body to one that is elected by the residents of the City of Chicago.

“The public needs to have greater input into how our neighborhood schools are being run,” said Mah.  “This legislation would give a stronger voice to the residents of Chicago with regard to how their young people are educated and prepared for their future careers.”

House Bill 1774 would make the Chicago Board of Education an elected body.  Currently, the board of trustees is comprised of appointees selected by the mayor.  Advocates for the legislation argue the public needs to have more of a say in how tax dollars are being spent at the neighborhood school level, as well as the need to ensure accountability and transparency among its board members.

“Chicago’s public school system needs to be made to better represent the diversity of our city,” said Mah.  “This legislation will engage more community members in the decision-making processes that affect thousands of students in the CPS system.”

Mah is serving her first term in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative of the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards. She is also a member of the Local School Council at Thomas Kelly High School, where she has served for the past five years.

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.