Featured Press Overview

December 27, 2023 • Chicago Sun-Times

The administration’s refusal to engage families in any public process has created distrust and is a far cry from the inclusive governance he talked about during his campaign, two nonprofit leaders write.

October 10, 2023 • WTTW

Chicagoans are set to see a new office on their ballot in November 2024. For the first time, voters will elect members to the Chicago Board of Education. It’s a massive transformation as board members were previously appointed by the mayor. For Jessica Cañas, senior community engagement manager at Kids First Chicago, the issue with the Senate’s proposed maps is the lack of Latino representation.

September 12, 2023 • Government Technology

Experts say communities across the U.S. have made significant progress in efforts to expand Internet access, largely through private-public partnerships and localized initiatives to make broadband affordable to families.

September 7, 2023 • WBEZ

Starting in January 2025, Chicago will move from a school board appointed by the mayor to an elected board. This shift is stirring great hopes and great fears – hopes this will create a more responsive education system and fears it will open the door to instability and a board mired in politics.

September 6, 2023 • Chalkbeat Chicago

Even though the number of students from low-income families has dropped, nearly three-quarters of the district’s student body is still considered “economically disadvantaged.” But if the downward trend continues, Chicago schools could continue to see fewer dollars than expected from the state, which funds districts in part by considering how many students from low-income families are enrolled.

April 24, 2023 • Crain's Chicago Business

Measurement is imperfect, and the associated accountability has been misused in the past. Which is why CPS launched an extensive redrafting of its own school accountability policy, spending the past two years leading its most extensive stakeholder engagement process in district history. This effort has been purposeful in centering those most impacted by the policy as its lead designers.

April 20, 2023 • Chicago Sun-Times

Lawmakers have until July 1 to draw maps for school board elections in 2024. The process must be transparent, and the maps should reflect the city’s racial makeup, two parent activists write.

March 29, 2023 • WBEZ

Paul Vallas plans changes to CPS’ structure and to prioritize testing while Brandon Johnson wants to guarantee a baseline of resources for each school.

March 23, 2023 • Chicago Tribune

After the April 4 mayoral runoff, all eyes will turn toward Chicago’s foray into an elected school board, the most consequential transformation in governance of the city’s public school system in a generation.

February 15, 2023 • Christian Science Monitor

Changes in enrollment inevitably mean school districts are going to have to make hard choices,” says Ray Hart, executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools.

February 15, 2023 • WTTW

Some residents in Back of the Yards are pushing back over a proposal that would incorporate a new public library into a public housing project.

January 29, 2023 • Chicago Tribune

Whoever becomes mayor for the next four years will face enormous challenges and a daunting transition from a school board selected by City Hall to one elected by voters.