FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS
Chicago Legislators Call for Elected Chicago School Board
Lawmakers Say Time for Springfield to Provide Much-Needed Reform for Chicago Public Schools
Date: Aug. 10, 2015

Contact: Rep. Rob Martwick, 773-286-1115, repmartwick@gmail.com

Rep. Elgie Sims, 773-783-8800, repsims34@gmail.com
Rep. Mary Flowers, 773-471-5200, maryeflowers@ilga.gov
Rep. La Shawn Ford, 773-378-5902, repford@lashawnford.com
Rep. Art Turner, 773-277-4700, arthurt@ilga.gov
Rep. Jaime Andrade, 773-267-2880, staterep40@gmail.com

CHICAGO The catalyst for the dramatic turnaround Chicago Public Schools needs is an elected school board
providing much-needed oversight and leadership, several Chicago lawmakers said Monday in announcing a
new push for school elections.
The legislators representing racial, gender and geographic diversity of the city are supporting House Bill 4268.
Grassroots organizations, community groups, parents, students and other supporters joined the legislators at a
Chicago news conference announcing a push for the new bill.
Chicago Public School district finances have spun out of control in the last two decades. Questionable financial
decisions combined with an unwillingness to raise necessary revenues have forced CPS to close schools and fire
thousands of teachers. The resulting chaos has hurt students and families in disadvantaged neighborhoods and
led to increased class sizes in overcrowded schools left to handle the aftermath.
HB 4268 would create an elected school board of 13 members chosen from four regions across Chicago, first
elected in March 2016 once the bill becomes law. The structure would mirror all other Illinois school board in
how candidates are qualified and elected, and in the new boards duties. Supporters of HB 4268 contend an
elected school board will return power over the future of CPS to the citizens and families of Chicago where it
belongs.
The city of Chicago has repeatedly blamed the Legislature for failing to take action to improve Chicago Public
Schools. Today, we heed that call to action by filing legislation to provide for an elected school board, said
Rep. Rob Martwick, D-Chicago. No longer will the blame for a failed system of education rest in the hands of
a board appointed by the mayor. Instead, citizens of Chicago will have the ability to elect board members to
implement the education and financial policies needed to finally turn around CPS.
Its important for families to have a voice in their childrens education, said Rep. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, a
co-sponsor of the bill. This legislation will empower families from every part of Chicago and help us work
together to give all students the education they deserve.

For too long, Chicago Public Schools have headed in the wrong direction and our students, families and
communities are suffering because of it. I believe we need to put the direction of our public schools back in the
hands of the people and the best way to do that is with an elected board working for the people. Its time to
provide hope for our schools in Chicago and it starts today with this initiative, said Rep. Art Turner, DChicago, on co-sponsoring the legislation.
The people of the city of Chicago have spoken. They want an elected school board. The people, who
overwhelmingly voted to have an elected school board, know whats best for our children. All you have to do is
to look at the current system to see that an appointed school board does not work, said Rep. Mary Flowers, DChicago, a co-sponsor of the bill.
In Februarys election, the Chicago voters overwhelmingly backed a non-binding referendum to call for an
elected Chicago school board for CPS. Many of my constituents continue to express a need for better local
representation in the leadership of CPS school board. It is time to debate the feasibility of having an elected
school board in Chicago, said Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, a bill co-sponsor.
Parents and educators across the city have made it clear we want an elected school board to give families the
opportunity to have a meaningful impact on their childrens education. Good schools are the foundation of a
strong community, and we need to be able to hold our school board accountable for the decisions that affect
students every day. Today is an important step for transparency and democracy in our public school system,
said Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, also a bill co-sponsor.
Community supporters of the bill note Chicagoans overwhelmingly support an elected school board, casting
more votes for an elected board than the mayor in the spring election with nearly 90 percent support despite not
being on the ballot in a quarter of the citys wards.
The Grassroots Education Movement (GEM) has been involved in the fight for an elected representative
school board for many years. In the midst of the current battle for equity and democracy in our city and state,
we want to remind our elected officials that an overwhelming majority of Chicago voters supported an elected
representative school board last November, said Erica Rangel, of Enlace Chicago and the Grassroots Education
Movement.
The sponsoring legislators said support already has built behind the idea since its filing and they looks forward
to working to move the idea forward at the Capitol this week during the ongoing legislative session caused by a
budget stalemate.
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