IL HR0796

Encourages the General Assembly to pass legislation requiring Chicago Public Schools board members to be elected by the people instead of appointed by the Mayor of Chicago.

Notes that 94% of school boards nationally are elected, and only 3 of the 10 largest school districts have appointed boards, with Chicago being the only city in Illinois required by law to have an appointed school board.

States that Chicago voters overwhelmingly approved a non-binding referendum in 2015 supporting an elected school board, with the Chicago Teachers Union calling the absence of an elected board "the most pressing civil rights issue" in Chicago.

Claims that the appointed board structure has weakened CPS over the years, resulting in millions of dollars in budget cuts and numerous school closures or phase-outs since 2012.

Directs that copies of the resolution be delivered to Chicago Public Schools board members, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and all members of the General Assembly.