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Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said Thursday he believes in “more democracy — not less” and the state Senate delivered just that by passing a bill to create a 21-member elected school board in Chicago.
One day after Mayor Lori Lightfoot denounced the bill as having “nothing to do with democracy,” Welch argued just the opposite. He called the Senate bill “a pretty good compromise” and said the House is likely to pass it without the makeover the mayor has demanded.
If anything, Welch said he would have preferred a speedier timetable than waiting until November 2024 to seat half the new board members and November 2026 to elect the other half.
“The bill does not set the timeline that leader [Delia] Ramirez from my team advocated for. But there are key protections during the transition period. That includes a moratorium on school closures. City Council confirmation of temporarily appointed members,” Welch said.
“I like the bill because it’s a move towards a fully-elected school board. I believe in more democracy — not less. I’m a product of an elected school board and believe that elections work. … When… all sides are not happy, you’ve got a pretty good compromise on the table.”
Welch, you may recall, was a co-sponsor of Leader Ramirez’s original bill. The mayor is dreaming if she thinks she can stop this thing in the House.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 2:17 pm
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Madam mayor…just live with it cuz the guv will most likely be in agreement and will be signing the bill.
Plus, I highly doubt you will be in office when the law is to take effect. just sayin’.
Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 2:20 pm
I’m sad for both sides. A 5 year waiting period for full implementation, doesn’t make this sound like a true crisis.
And a 21 member board won’t solve what truly ails Chicago education.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 2:37 pm
But Lightfoot has a close, personal relationship with Durkin. That’s her ace in the hole. /s
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 3:26 pm
I hope the House passes and the Governor signs it.
Thinking about Walker’s statement yesterday “I cannot figure out what she really wants, from what she says and does.”
My guess is the Mayor probably just changed her mind about wanting an elected school board. It was a popular issue to support during the campaign. But then she was elected and she found herself in full control of the Chicago Public Schools, just like all her predecessors, and she liked being in control, so why shouldn’t she continue to run the Chicago Public Schools through a hand-picked board?
We all change our minds about things from time to time. But a change of mind is not a satisfactory explanation to the voting public from an elected official. So she had to find other things wrong with the bill.
My gut feelings tell me this Mayor has capable experienced advisors around her, but she frequently doesn’t like to take advice because she knows best.
Comment by James Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 3:31 pm
It’s fascinating to me that folks (like editorial writers) who regularly complain about the speaker and senate president having too much power over their chambers now want them to exercise that power to stop something a super-majority of their members are in favor of.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 4:00 pm
Roman nailed it.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 4:04 pm
Done deal I’d say the people who wanted this should pat themselves on the back unlike the Mayor of Chicago who changed her mind at the last minute.
Comment by Levois Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 4:13 pm
This is a disaster waiting to happen. Suntimes had a great editorial about it. I am so tired of people in Illinois not happy with something so lets just elect a new board. We already have way too much government. Stop the madness.
Comment by DMC Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 4:40 pm
This should be the final nail in the coffin for CPS. Once the CTU gets hold of this board there isn’t enough money in Chicago to keep this sinking ship afloat.
Comment by Out of Illinois Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 4:52 pm
“I believe in more democracy, not less - unless it’s an issue polls consistently show over 80% of Illinois voters are in favor of, in which case I’m against it.” - Speaker Welch after accidentally ingesting truth serum.
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 5:06 pm
=We already have way too much government.=
I think that’s what January 6th was all about. Let’s just get rid of the parts of the government that we don’t like. When government is consolidated and controlled by a select few it brings on its own set of problems. Be careful what you wish for.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 5:34 pm
== The mayor is dreaming if she thinks she can stop this thing in the House.==
Correct. Once again she messed up completely. This is called how to fail in government without really trying.
Comment by low level Thursday, Jun 3, 21 @ 10:16 pm