Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth Signs Letter Supporting SB 1693
Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth recently joined other City Council colleagues in signing on to a letter in support of SB 1693 which calls for the creation of an elected Board of Trustees for the City Colleges of Chicago.
City Colleges is the only community college district in Illinois where leadership is not elected by the people it serves, leaving students and community members without a meaningful voice in decisions that impact their educational institutions and their communities. SB 1693 offers a long overdue correction to this issue. Read the full letter below.
The Honorable Don Harmon
President, Illinois Senate Illinois State Capitol Springfield, IL 62706
Dear Senate President Harmon,
As members of the Chicago City Council, we write today on behalf of our constituents—more than two million residents of the State of Illinois—to respectfully urge you to take action on Senate Bill 1693, which calls for the creation of an elected Board of Trustees for the City Colleges of Chicago.
City Colleges is the only community college district in Illinois where leadership is not elected by the people it serves. All other community college boards in the state are accountable to the public through democratic elections. This stark exception leaves students and community members without a meaningful voice in decisions that impact their educational institutions and their communities. SB 1693 offers a long-overdue correction. It would establish an elected board of trustees for City Colleges, bringing the district into alignment with the democratic standards expected across the state.
We are encouraged that this bill has already garnered bipartisan support, with 41 co-sponsors in the Illinois Senate—nearly 70%, a clear supermajority. And yet, despite this overwhelming support, SB 1693 has not received even a committee hearing. We are deeply concerned that, while other bills progress through the legislative process, this important measure remains stalled.
We urge you to ensure that SB 1693 receives the consideration it merits. We stand ready to work with you and the members of the Illinois Senate on this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Jeanette Taylor, 20th Ward Alderwoman
David Moore, 17th Ward Alderman
Maria Hadden, 49th Ward Alderwoman
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alderman
Julia Ramirez, 12th Ward Alderwoman
Jeylu Gutierrez, 14th Ward Alderwoman
Timmy Knudsen, 43rd Ward Alderman
Stephanie Coleman, 16th Ward Alderwoman
Desmon Yancy, 5th Ward Alderman
Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward Alderperson
Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward Alderman
Matt Martin, 47th Ward Alderman
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th Ward Alderwoman
Angela Clay, 46th Ward Alderwoman
Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd Ward Alderwoman
Anthony Quezada, 35th Ward Alderman
