Bill calling for elected Chicago school board clears state House
Bill calling for elected Chicago school board clears state House
Voters in the nation’s third largest school district would, for the first time, be allowed to elect their own citywide school board under a bill that cleared the House on an overwhelming vote Thursday.
“Dozens of parent and neighborhood groups have been formed to improve educational opportunities for the school children of Chicago,” said Rep. Robert Martwick, a Chicago Democrat and chief sponsor of the bill. “They’ve been regularly dismissed and disrespected by the appointed board. And these groups have demanded elected accountability. They’ve...
House bill would start college savings accounts for all newborns in Illinois
House bill would start college savings accounts for all newborns in Illinois
Despite vocal opposition from Republicans, the Illinois House passed a bill Wednesday that would automatically deposit $50 into a college savings account for every child born or adopted in Illinois, starting in January 2021.
The idea, according to Rep. Robyn Gabel, an Evanston Democrat and chief sponsor of the bill, is to increase educational attainment in future generations of Illinoisans.