Last Week in Springfield: Elected School Board Locked In
Dear Neighbor,
Twelve years ago this March, I lost my first election. (Wow, just typing that makes me feel old!) In the weeks after, I convened a group of volunteers from the campaign for a meeting. Sure, we hadn’t won, but the issues we fought for were still important. What issue campaign did we want to work on together now that the election was over?
The group was unanimous: we wanted to join the citywide fight for an elected school board in Chicago.
Some of you will remember that we circulated petitions to get a nonbinding referendum on the ballot across the 39th District that year. It won overwhelmingly. Countless referenda, resolutions, bills, votes, Senate stall-outs, and political games later (and seven years after I won my second election!), we finally passed a bill for an elected school board in 2021.
Last week, we took the final step towards an elected school board — ratifying district boundaries and an election calendar. This fall, based on the compromise that made the elected board a reality, we’ll enact a hybrid system. The Chicago school district will be divided into ten districts, which will each elect one member. The mayor will appoint another member from that area, for a 20-member board. In two years, those ten districts will each get split into two, and we’ll have a fully elected board in 2026.
It’s a transformation many decades in the making, and I’m proud to have been a small part of that history. Like all major transformations, it’s not going to be easy, and I’m sure we’ll experience some growing pains along the way. But it’s time Chicago families have the same right every other family in Illinois does: the right to cast a ballot to determine the direction of our children’s schools.
I’m off to Springfield to continue my legislative work — more updates on that front as they come in. You can also follow us on X or Instagram for more timely updates.
All my best,
Will
Narcan Training
Advocate Health Care is hosting a Narcan training on Saturday, March 23 from 10am-12pm at Concordia Place, 3300 N Whipple St. This event will highlight the current opioids crisis throughout Chicago and provide crucial training. Participants will receive a certificate when completing the Narcan Training, and Narcan will be provided at the event.
ICASH
ICASH, Illinois’ unclaimed property program, reunites Illinois residents with missing money, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks, dividends, or life insurance policies of deceased relatives. An estimated one in four Illinois adults discover property to claim when they search, and the average claim is $1,000. Yet, many Illinois residents are not aware of the ICASH Program or that they have unclaimed property. The State Treasurer is holding more than $5 billion in unclaimed funds and would like to see even more money returned to Illinois residents. Find out more information: https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/
30th Ward Easter Egg Hunt
Alderwoman Ruth Cruz is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23 from 10am - 12pm at Chopin Park, 3420 N. Long Ave. There will be games, arts and crafts, and an appearance from the Easter bunny! We’ll see you there!
Senior Bingo
Cook Commissioner Anthony Quezada and I will be hosting a Senior Bingo Party at the Copernicus Center, 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave. on Wednesday, March 27 at 1:00pm. Join us for fun, games, and community!