* Background is here if you need it. Senate President Don Harmon just introduced a new proposal (click here) that he said addresses the House’s concerns…

Most notably, they raised a legitimate concern that the mechanics of election lead to the possibility of someone easily getting on the ballot and winning election to a four-year term on the school board with a small percentage of the vote without benefit of a runoff or a primary election.

So I am offering an amendment that’s just been filed that will address some of those issues incorporating ideas that came from the House bill. I want to just run through those for the benefit of everyone here.

First of all, all 20 districts would be up for election in 2024. But instead of initiating staggered terms, in the first election all 20 would stand for election to a two year term.

In 2026, the second election, we will have a [non-partisan] primary election in March, from which the top two vote-getters would advance to the November election. That way, we would ensure that the winner of a longer term has a majority of the vote, would begin implementing staggered terms. And 2026 with 10 of the seats being elected to four-year terms and the other 10 being elected two-year terms, and then flip and the subsequent elections leading up to the redistricting election and 2032.

There’s not enough time left on the clock to create non-partisan primaries next year, so this kicks that issue to 2026.

* Harmon also mentioned that the House has introduced a trailer “cleanup” bill for their elected Chicago school board measure. The language is on House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2324.

The amendment is said to be designed to address Senate President Don Harmon’s objections to the original bill’s “woefully inadequate ethical provisions”…

For example, there is no prohibition on executives and employees of school district contractors and vendors being able to serve on the board.

The House legislation opens the door for corruption by exempting board members from the requirements under the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.

So, we still have two competing bills.

…Adding… Isabel asked Senate President Harmon whether there was an agreement yet between the two chambers. “We’re still working on it,” Harmon said. “Our amendment definitely incorporated some of the good ideas from the House bill, and I’m very pleased that they are incorporating the ethics provisions from our bill. These are all positive things.”

*** UPDATE 1 *** The House just passed its cleanup bill, SB2324, on a 99-1 roll call.

*** UPDATE 2 *** The House has adjourned. That means either the Senate takes up the House legislation, or nothing gets done during veto.