Chicago mayor pushes for fully elected school board

(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he continues his push for democracy on the Chicago School board, even though lawmakers didn’t pass legislation during their most recent session.

During the fall veto session in Springfield last week, lawmakers discussed a measure that would have changed how the Chicago Public School Board is put together.

The bill seeks to allow Chicago voters to elect Chicago Board of Education members who will serve terms starting in January 2025.

And allow Johnson to appoint a school board president for a two-year term.

State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said Chicagoans should be able to elect these boards like the rest of the state.

“This, I believe, represents the most comprehensive proposal to date to bring an elected school board to Chicago,” Harmon said. “Allowing it to join all the other school districts in Illinois.”

Johnson is also in support of the measure.

“As you know, a number of us have been a part of this coalition that has been pushing for democracy for a very long time,” Johnson said. “I am very much committed to a fully elected school board that places us in a position to be effective.”

House Bill 2233 passed through the Senate during the fall veto session but failed to go any further, and now lawmakers will look to further the measure when they return in January.