Lawmakers Continue to Gather Information as Part of Mapmaking Process
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus today launched an updated online map making portal where the public can draw and submit proposed district boundaries for the new Chicago Elected Representative School Board.
The portal builds on the commitment by Senate Democrats to encourage robust public participation in the creation of the new Chicago elected school board districts. This includes a series of public hearings held by the Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board in recent weeks to gather input from across the city’s diverse communities.
The portal can be accessed at www.ilsenateredistricting.com. All maps submitted through the portal will be reviewed as part of the public record. Previously, the public was able to draw and submit proposed communities of interest and upload proposed district boundaries.
“We are entering a new era in community-led education that will empower families to elect school leaders who reflect the diversity of our neighborhoods. That begins with this mapmaking process, and we want to gather as much input as possible about the unique needs of communities across Chicago,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Chair of the Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board.
The General Assembly faces a July 1 deadline to draw Chicago school board districts, which must be consistent with the Illinois Voting Rights Act. That law ensures districts are crafted in a way that preserves clusters of minority voters if they are of size or cohesion to exert collective electoral power.
Currently appointed by the mayor, the Chicago Board of Education will transition to become fully-elected over the course of a two-year hybrid period.
During the November 2024 election, ten members of the Chicago Board of Education will be elected by voters, and ten members and the board president will be appointed by the mayor. Elected members will serve four-year terms, while appointed members, including the appointed board president, will serve two-year terms. The board will become fully-elected after the November 2026 general election, when the number of electoral districts will expand from 10 districts to 20 districts.
“By providing parents with a greater say in how our schools are run, we can make sure students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed,” said Sen. Robert Martwick, Vice-Chair of the Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board and sponsor of the legislation creating an elected school board in Chicago. “This is an exciting opportunity for residents to participate in shaping the future of our education system.”
“Our neighborhood schools are facing incredible challenges. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to chart a new path forward that will transform the lives of our children and help revitalize our communities,” said Sen. Omar Aquino, Vice-Chair of the Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board.
