State Rep. Art Turner, D-Chicago, will host a public hearing to discuss his efforts to create an elected Chicago school board and receive feedback from residents and community organizations on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Sinai Community Institute, located at 2653 W. Ogden Avenue in Chicago. Turner is sponsoring House Bill 4268, which would make the Chicago Board of Education an entirely elected office. Currently, the board is appointed by the Mayor of Chicago. This is the result of legislation passed in Springfield in 1995, which additionally stripped the Chicago Teachers Union of the ability to negotiate over class size, charter school expansion and length of the school day. If Turner’s bill is passed, the Chicago Board of Education would become an elected body, consisting only of members elected by Chicago residents. Turner believes the bill gives a greater voice to the public in how their schools are managed and will help to avoid further corruption and mismanagement. If you are interested in attending the hearing or would like more information about Turner’s efforts to bring an elected school board to Chicago, please contact the 9th District Constituent Service Office at 773-277-4700 or arthurt@ilga.gov.