Illinois Senate Passes Plan for Hybrid Elected Chicago School Board

The plan, supported by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the CTU, will see 10 of 21 board members elected this November.

The Illinois Senate approved a plan for a 'hybrid' elected school board in Chicago, with 10 members elected this November and the rest appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The move aims to transition to a fully elected board after the 2026 election, with all members serving two-year terms initially.
Senate President Don Harmon described the measure as a compromise, noting the importance of implementing elections for the school board.
Critics argue the plan favors the Chicago Teachers Union in selecting candidates and complicates the election process.
The legislation now heads to the House for final approval before it can be signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker.