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* UPDATED x2 - Amendment filed - Assigned to committee * Reignited calls for elected Chicago school board

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Community groups, many aligned with the Chicago Teachers Union, are reviving demands to toss out Mayor Emanuel’s appointed school board and replace it with a body selected by voters.

Supporters of an elected school board want state senators to take up a House bill that would do just that. In its current form, the measure would provide for an election for the Chicago Board of Education on a separate ballot in 2018 and divide the city into 20 electoral districts for each seat. Candidates would have to be registered voters and residents of the city for at least one year preceding their election.

The House legislation passed by a 110-4 margin in March, as Speaker Michael Madigan tweaked Emanuel, who opposes an elected school board. Now, a coalition of groups that operate under the umbrella of the Grassroots Education Movement say they want the Senate to have the bill on Gov. Rauner’s desk by the end of the fall session that starts Tuesday.

The bill’s Senate co-sponsors include Sens. Kwame Raoul, Mattie Hunter, William Delgado and Heather Steans. But there’s no indication the bill is going anywhere anytime soon — the chamber is run by Senate President John Cullerton, a top Emanuel ally.

* Sen. Kwame Raoul press release from earlier this month…

Raoul discussed plans to amend the legislation to alleviate some of the concerns he shares with the parents and other stakeholders. This would include reducing the board to 15 members to bring it more in line with other major school boards across the country and including a run-off provision that would put the two highest vote earners head-to-head.

Raoul anticipates a hearing on the legislation when the Senate returns for its fall session later this month.

So far, though, no hearing has been posted and no amendments have been filed. Click here to track the bill.

*** UPDATE 1 *** No amendment was filed, but the Senate just posted it for the Education Committee tomorrow.

*** UPDATE 2 *** The amendment has now been filed. Click here to read it.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 15, 16 @ 11:01 am

Comments

We need less politicians not more.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Nov 15, 16 @ 11:26 am
Lots of Chicago Democrats and Republicans statewide supported this in the House.

Comment by Bement Whig Tuesday, Nov 15, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Not supporting an elected school board is the most anti-democratic, elitist thing an Illinois pol can do. There’s always a reason not to do a good thing.

Comment by Moist von Lipwig Tuesday, Nov 15, 16 @ 2:00 pm
Don’t forget to include legislation for an elected board of trustees for the Chicago City Colleges too!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 15, 16 @ 8:56 pm