Representative Williams recently joined WTTW’s Chicago Tonight to discuss her bill implementing the final details for the Chicago Elected School Board (SB15). The bill, which divides the city into districts and outlines the process by which school board members will be elected, passed the Illinois General Assembly on Thursday. It now awaits the governor’s signature.
“It’s responsible to make sure we have a smooth and orderly transition,” said Rep. Williams on Chicago Tonight. “Phasing it in makes the most sense.” For the first election, which occurs this November, half of the 20 board members will be elected, and the other half, as well as the board president, will be appointed by the mayor. In 2026, all board positions will be elected, creating a fully elected school board.
The bill passed the House easily by a vote of 75-31. “I was proud to support this historic bill, and appreciate the hard work, commitment and passion of all the countless advocates who worked so hard on this issue over so many years,” Williams said in a statement. Years in the making, SB15 was crafted with the input of education activists and school community members across the city, who have applauded its role in democratizing this process.
“Every Chicagoan will have a voice and a vote in the future of their school board, and the future of their public school,” Rep. Williams said.
Rep. Williams’ appearance on Chicago Tonight can be viewed here.