Next month Chicago will hold the most wide open elections in the city’s history. All adult Chicagoans, not just those registered to vote, will be welcome at the polls–even undocumented immigrants. And any adult can run for office without trudging around to collect ballot petitions. Indeed, those without previous experience are not only allowed to run, they’re being sought out and encouraged to run by scores of businesses and community groups throughout the city.
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A common fear is that politicians will slate candidates for these school councils, intending to consolidate power. Another equally popular worry is that outspoken council members might use their school positions as the springboard to political office, much as Dorothy Tillman became known for her attacks on a local school principal.
But the biggest obstacle to school reform may not be the shouters, the extremists, or the pols but the “Ins”–those connected with local school-improvement councils, PTAs, and community groups. Many may jealously guard their influence and try to prevent other, well-qualified individuals from joining the group. Some may already enjoy a cozy relationship with a less-than-competent principal. In short, they may be part of the problem instead of the answer to it.
Some of the most spirited outreach has been to the local Asian community, a group that historically has not been deeply involved in public affairs and elections. The Rogers Park/West Rogers Park Asian community includes Filipinos, Indians, Vietnamese, Pakistanis, Assyrians, Koreans, Chinese, Cambodians, and Hmong from Laos. To explain the implications of the school-reform law and elicit candidates might take a worker to the Lao Service Center, the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, a Korean pastor, an Assyrian club, a Pakistani restaurant, and an Indian newspaper.
Geography poses another problem. Even though many ethnic groups live in the Rogers Park and West Rogers Park areas, few have their main population concentrations there. They may shop, attend ethnic-organization meetings, and go to church elsewhere. Thus an effort to reach Koreans, say, must involve continual trips to Albany Park; to reach Vietnamese, organizers must go to Uptown.
Time is running out. Nomination forms (which may be picked up at the schools) are due September 27 for elementary schools and September 28 for high schools.
