IL-FPS director Cassie Creswell spoke at the Illinois State Board of Education meeting today in opposition to the opening of a new charter high school on the Northwest Side of Chicago even though there is currently a moratorium on opening new charters in Chicago. This school would be run by Concept Schools' Horizon Science Academy - Belmont, which has an existing elementary school in Chicago. It was approved as part of the renewal of HSA - Belmont's charter by ISBE in December. 

There was an override of the Governor’s veto on HB5175, the charter commission bill, yesterday in the House, and now it’s time to get it through in the Senate!

Chicago Classical Academy Charter was rejected by CPS in December but is appealing to the unelected IL state charter commission for approval. The "targeted communities" for Chicago Classical are Bridgeport, Bronzeville, Chinatown, McKinley Park, Pilsen, and South Loop.

There was a hearing conducted by the commission on this appeal Tuesday night in Chinatown. We were live tweeting. The thread of tweets starts here.

Update: It's still not too late on HB768!

The bill was pulled from the hearing today 5/17 due to pressure from charter industry and has now been moved to the Executive Committee for a 2pm hearing tomorrow 5/18. You must fill out a new witness slip as a PROPONENT here.