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* I told subscribers earlier this week that this idea looked like the most viable option out there. We’ll see…
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon announced Friday he has asked colleagues to negotiate compromise legislation to transition Chicago Public Schools to a fully elected school board.
Here is President Harmon’s statement:
“I am fully committed to passing legislation this year to move to an elected, representative Chicago school board.
In order to set this in motion, I have asked the sponsors of the key proposals to sit down and come up with a plan that will guide this transition to a new era of leadership at Chicago Public Schools.
My recommendation is that these negotiations focus on starting with a fair, representative hybrid board composed of elected and appointed members that would ensure a reasonable and orderly transition to a fully elected school board.
Everyone involved in this issue has the best interests of the students, families, teachers and taxpayers at heart. If all are willing to compromise, I am confident that we are close to resolution.
I look forward to putting a plan to get us to a fully elected school board on the governor’s desk this session.”
…Adding… WBEZ…
However, Harmon wouldn’t say what he would do if the two sides were unable to work out a compromise. But the House has already passed a bill that calls for a fully elected 21-member board, and Harmon did say, “If the only option were the proposal or nothing, the Senate might very well pass it.”
“I just want to be sure that we are not fighting over which side is right, but we are remembering that we have a fundamental obligation primarily to the students in the Chicago Public Schools system to get the process right,” Harmon said. “And so I would like to see some structure come out of these negotiations that ensures a reasonable and orderly transition to a fully elected school board.”
When Harmon talked to sides supporting either the hybrid bill or the fully elected bill on Friday, he said they were both “very committed to their positions.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:20 pm
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Senator Harmon is pretty naive if he thinks that the CTU has anyone’s best interest at heart other than their own.
Comment by Really Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:38 pm
While Sen. Harmon means well, he is not a city resident. I don’t think Mayor Lightfoot is jumping for joy with his statement. I believe she would like Majority Lightford to speak on her behalf..just sayin.
Comment by Pizza Man Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:46 pm
=== Senator Harmon is pretty naive if he thinks that the CTU has anyone’s best interest at heart other than their own.===
What furs this *even* mean?
Labor unions exist to advocate for their members.
You also think teachers poll worse than Mayor Lightfoot?
I know, you’ve said many a time, you don’t like unions.
Tough to paint with a broad brush teachers don’t care for students… especially when students seemingly turn to teachers as mentors and role models.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:50 pm
=== I don’t think Mayor Lightfoot is jumping for joy with his statement===
Neither would candidate Lightfoot, who wanted a fully elected school board.
Thus… the rub.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:51 pm
What about the City Colleges? I know that the CPS has much more interest, but the City Colleges also suffer from the appointed board syndrome of mayoral disinterest.
Comment by Marrs96 Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:55 pm
I’m a Chicago resident and a parent of a CPS student. I just want the same say over my kid’s education that everyone outside of Chicago has.
Comment by Common Sense Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:57 pm
=== I don’t think Mayor Lightfoot is jumping for joy with his statement===
Welcome to Springfield.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 3:58 pm
“While Sen. Harmon means well, he is not a city resident.”
Being Senate President trumps city residency.
If I’m CTU, I am pretty happy right now. Harmon is telling them they will get what they want, but it may take a little longer. He is telling Lightfoot she won’t get what she wants.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 4:01 pm
Candidate Lightfoot should have been careful for what she wished for during the campaign, because you may get what you asked for.
Now in office, she realized that she wants complete control of the board and switched gears. I’m not sure if Majority Leader Lightford will be able to get the mayor a lifeline on this one; a highly contentious issue.
The mayor’s final plea, of course, will be with the guv—should it pass without her approval. Luckily there are currently in the negotiation stage. But Sen. Martwick will not be patient with his bill.
Comment by Pizza Man Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 4:09 pm
===The mayor’s final plea, of course, will be with the guv===
lol
He, like her, campaigned on an elected school board. Unlike her, I’d bet a whole lot of money he will keep that promise if it reaches his desk.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 4:15 pm
@Pizzaman Majority Lightford isn’t a city resident either.
Senator Martwick is a city resident though. So probably better for Lori to negotiate with him than try to hijack the bill and process.
Comment by Frank talks Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 4:17 pm
===So probably better for Lori to negotiate with him===
And therein lies the rub…
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 4:17 pm
Springfield can be a lonely place with limited allies and no clear indication how to maneuver around politics played badly.
Lightfoot is learning just that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 4:19 pm
Lol, Rich!….plus the mayor has been striking out recently with her bills as the guv has overruled her i.e. Chicago Firefighters pension fix.
Comment by Pizza Man Friday, Apr 30, 21 @ 4:21 pm