SPRINGFIELD — To promote accountability, State Senator Cristina Castro is sponsoring a bill that would transfer oversight of state-run charter schools to local school boards.

“Oversight from a distance is not the best way to promote a high-quality, comprehensive education for charter school students,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This bill would ensure accountability and safeguard the efforts made by taxpayers and students to foster great learning environments in each respective school.”

Senate Bill 4040 would automatically transfer any state-authorized charter school located outside of the geographical area of a school district back to the local school board or boards. 

The vast majority of charter schools in Illinois are locally authorized – meaning they apply directly for authorization with their local school board. The other nine are state-run charter schools with ten campuses total. State-run charter schools apply for authorization through the Illinois State Board of Education rather than their local school board. Because current law does not allow school board oversight of state-run charter schools, Castro’s legislation aims to provide this mechanism for the local community. 

This bill is intended to improve the relations between local school districts and the state-run charter schools within their boundaries. This would give local school boards more autonomy to manage schools and advocate for better funding for their students while also creating a path for the local community to have a seat at the table.

“Handing over the reins to local school boards and districts is the sensible thing to do as the students who attend charter schools are from those same districts,” said Castro. “These school districts know their students’ needs the best.”

Senate Bill 4040 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.