Suburban lawmaker pushes for school consolidation commission

SPRINGFIELD — A suburban lawmaker’s proposal to study the possible consolidation of school districts progressed through a House committee Wednesday.

Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia’s legislation would create a commission that would include state lawmakers, school principals and representatives from teacher, school board and special-education organizations.

The Aurora Democrat said a report from local representatives and education experts would be a more cautious approach to school consolidation than Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to merge schools systems to the point where the current 868 would be reduced by about 600 within two years.

“It’s very important to do it right because we could do irrefutable damage to these children in this state if we don’t do it right,” Chapa LaVia said.

The commission would have to submit the report to the General Assembly by July 1, 2012, at which point the legislators would have to vote to accept it.

Chapa LaVia said the report wouldn’t have the legal authority to force change, but it would give lawmakers more credibility and certainty if they decide to act.

Illinois now has 868 school districts and only 140 districts have consolidated in the last 28 years.