Crespo to chair House education panel

State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, has been named the new chairman of the House Elementary and Secondary Education School Curriculum and Policies Committee. The committee oversees the establishment of standards for educational excellence and instituting policies to keep schools safe, among other things.

"As chair ... I plan to advocate for legislation that will help our administrators, teachers and students access the tools they need to succeed," he said.

Crespo has been a member of the bipartisan education committee since he was elected to the General Assembly in 2006.