* We talked about Greg Hinz’s story on the Chicago elected school board bill the other day, but not this part…

Harmon said he has not yet decided whether to push for a House vote on his bill, call the hybrid House bill for a vote in the Senate or pursue another course. One thing he’s awaiting before deciding: guidance from Johnson. So far, the mayor has given “no clear direction” on which bill should be approved. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taking a firm position could create a political risk for Johnson. A former CTU organizer himself, the mayor for years has advocated for a fully elected board. But doing so now would put him and his union allies on the opposite side of a big issue.

Taking a firm position could create a political risk for Johnson. A former CTU organizer himself, the mayor for years has advocated for a fully elected board. But doing so now would put him and his union allies on the opposite side of a big issue.

* The lack of any real guidance from the mayor’s office came up again in a recent Tribune story…

Heading into this year’s session, the issue remains under negotiation, Harmon said.

“We’re still wrestling with the best way to implement this to ensure maximum representation from all voters in the city,” Harmon said. “We’re waiting for clear direction from the city of Chicago, from Chicago Public Schools and from the Chicago Teachers Union as to how they think we should best proceed. We are open to all good ideas to get this done as quickly as possible.”

The CTU has said it prefers the hybrid system, so I suppose the mayor will eventually publicly fall in line. But that flip-flop would be Lightfootian in scope.

…Adding… I forgot to post this statement from Rep. Ann Williams, who heads the House Democratic CPS Districting working group…

An agreed map, strong ethics requirements, and an election process consistent with the negotiated framework paving the way for an elected, representative school board in Chicago can be finalized this week with a concurrence vote in the Senate. With the historic first school board election less than a year away, we hope the Senate will act now so that the transition to a fully elected school board can begin, prospective candidates can review district boundaries and Chicagoans will have the opportunity to vote for a representative school board for the first time this November.