(WBBM NEWSRADIO) —The bill creating an elected Chicago Board of Education is ready for the governor’s action.
Sponsoring state Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, put a parliamentary paperweight — a "motion to reconsider" — on the legislation immediately after it passed two weeks ago. She said that was to keep the bill from going to the governor and to protect it from any chicanery or other interference.
After giving stakeholders a couple of weeks to talk with her, Ramirez released the hold by withdrawing the motion. She said she is now confident the bill is ready for the governor to sign.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot sought to derail the measure, citing several problems with the bill. She currently appoints a board of seven members; Ramirez’s bill would create a fully elected board of 21 by decade’s end.
Ramirez said changes in the plan could come in the fall veto session. A clean-up measure might, for example, clarify that the job of school board member is unpaid, she said.
The greater issue in the bill, said Ramirez, is that a board elected by the people would be more accountable to residents.
Gov. JB Pritzker has indicated he will sign the elected school board bill.
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