Illinois toughens up on charters

Chicago Teachers Union - With a veto-proof majority, both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly on Thursday, May 28 passed SB1591, which requires disclosure of criminal and civil investigations for any group submitting a charter school proposal. The bill was introduced by Illinois Senator Jacquelyn Collins (D-16) in recognition of the scandals that have plagued many of the outfits seeking to enter or expand their footprints in the education market established by doling public funds to these privately-managed schools. Concept Charters, for example, is currently under federal investigation yet continues to seek charters to run new schools. The UNO Network of charter schools—the largest charter network in Chicago—has also been plagued with scandal.