Bill for Paid Chicago School Board Constituent Staff Filed! HB 1597!

At it again! Last session ended before we could secure a vote on this important bill. So let’s go! HB 1597 ensures that the volunteer members of Chicago’s Elected School Board will have paid staff […]

Dear Representative, Thankful for you, and your staff/Imagine the single working parent serving on the Chicago School Board with no staff,

Dear Representative, I can think of another thing for which I am thankful: Your staff. Your legislative aid holds your Springfield office together and your constituent service staff are always sensitive to local needs.  But […]

UPDATE: HB 5815 for School Board Steps now filed in Illinois Senate! SB 4247 by Senator Martwick.

News From The Public Education Legislative Front— Just in time to prepare for the second week of Veto Session, when the Illinois State Chambers will return to Springfield for the last time of 2022, Senator […]

“Dear Representative, I am a constituent who supports HB5815– it is the next step our elected school board needs. Sincerely, (you)!”

We have it: HB5815. AN ACT concerning education. It is time! We have stood together on education efforts for ages. I’m still in it if you are! 3 easy steps. 1. Find whom your state […]

Legislators: I did as you asked! CPS leadership did not reply!

Dear Representatives, I am writing to you to follow up on our previous conversations and correspondence: With regards to needed legislation to be the next steps in implementing Chicago’s upcoming Elected School Board, I have […]

Representative Guerrero-Cuellar Looking to Bring CPS to the Table to Discuss Elected School Board “Next Steps”

Legislation to codify a staff position for each Board Member of the Chicago Elected School Board has been drafted by Representative La Shawn Ford. Representative Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar is expressing that next steps are needed in […]

Representative Will Guzzardi Commits Co-Sponsorship of Ford Bill, Next Steps for Elected School Board Law

CHICAGO- During consideration late Wednesday, Representative Will Guzzardi (D-39) committed to cosponsoring the first elected school board next step bill, drafted by Representative La Shawn Ford. The bill will establish a staff member for each […]

Release: State Representative La Shawn K Ford Joined by Local School Activist Daniel Steven Kleinman, Push Bills to Strengthen Future Elected School Board

Chicago, IL – Tuesday, July 26th Illinois State Representative La Shawn K Ford (D-8th) and Local School Activist Daniel Steven Kleinman (formally of Senn HS LSC and of Disney Magnet ES LSC) Announce First of […]

I have Conflicted thoughts on School Fundraisers: Wealthy school areas can give more to those whom already have more— but buy-in is important and key

School fundraisers are great events. They build buy in for the school, literally. It helps create pride for the school. It creates passionate ownership. And usually, they are a great time for the students. And […]

Growing in elementary and high school, I understood first hand the need for mental and emotional support. This is a good thing, CPS. And the need for Social Workers.

WTTW —. Chicago Public Schools this month is launching a new initiative aimed at addressing students’ emotional, psychological and social health as rates of depression and hopelessness have spiked in teens nationwide. As part of […]

CPS Disgraceful Flouting of Democratic Voices: Doesn’t Care About Jones College Prep Vote, Regardless. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez: Don’t dismiss democracy!!

It is the fundamental intent of the State of Illinois that Local School Councils should have oversight of their schools. And yet, CPS doesn’t care. Actually, it worse: CPS actively and intentionally subverts and undermines […]

Chicago Public Schools mistakenly received $87
million in aid — Illinois State Board of Education
to Recoup and Redistribute the money

They bet on our students and they lost. Now our students will pay the price. The system is broken. https://www.asumag.com/facilities-management/business-finance/article/21238617/chicago-schools-mistakenly-received-87-million-in-aid-because-of-states-miscalculation As if we all predicted:

“As if our students and schools haven’t been through enough the last two years, CPS & Mayor Lightfoot hit our schools with another blow: $42M in budget cuts.” – RHY IL

Raise Your Hand Illinois is one of my most trusted and admired education advocacy group in Illinois. They are doing a terrific job organizing. Use this link to join the cause: https://www.ilraiseyourhand.org/action-items/nocpscuts

Dear Chicagoans Not Yet Deeply Involved in the Fight for our Public Education: CPS Has Asked The Council and Me to Pass an Entire Budget for Our School in less than 72 Hours. P.S. They’re professional managers. I am a volunteer public servant.

I do not know what more I can add. Chicago Public Schools is continuing its deliberate and designed divestment from our schools in favor of advocating for school options that promote less equitable opportunities. Case […]

Labor Victories: The News That Makes Me Optimistic For The Future.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-workers-union-victory-bolsters-revitalized-labor-movement-11648904400 The Labor Movement is the Story of the American Movement. The very experience of our Republic is empirically entwined with the objection of unabridged capitalism — we at our root core object to overarching […]

Local School Council Filing Extended to March 9! Want Candidate Tips? I’ve had 3 at-large elections.

Local School Council election filings have been extended to 3/9. At-large community members who reside within the school’s attendance area or voting district boundaries, as well as parents, staff, and students in their respective school […]

Today’s Read: CPS Taking Student Applications For Program That Aims to Increase Educator Diversity

CPS on Tuesday announced it is now accepting applications for its Teach Chicago Tomorrowprogram, a district initiative offering post-graduate learning opportunities to help boost diversity among district teachers. Teach Chicago Tomorrow is a partnership between […]

Today’s read: Bills to address teacher shortages advance

The Senate Education Committee unanimously endorsed two bills that would allow retired teachers to work as substitutes more days in a school year without losing any of their pension benefits. https://www.capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/bills-to-address-teacher-shortages-advance Today this does make […]