SB1985 Summary

• Amends the School Code Section 1A-1 concerning the State Board of Education membership structure and composition.

• State Board of Education consists of 8 members plus a chairperson appointed by the Governor with Senate approval, with specific regional representation requirements: 2 from non-Cook/non-contiguous counties, 2 from Cook County (one Chicago resident, one outside Chicago), 2 from the 5 counties contiguous to Cook County, and 3 at-large members including the chairperson.

• Board members serve 4-year terms beginning the second Wednesday of January in odd-numbered years, with staggered expiration dates to ensure continuity.

• Political party composition is limited so no more than 2 of the 4 members (excluding chairperson) expiring in any given cycle may be from the same political party.

• Vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment with Senate consent for the unexpired term, with temporary appointments allowed when the Senate is not in session.