Annual Report for FY26 Now Available
The Illinois Association of School Boards’ Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2026 is now available. It offers a snapshot of the Association's important work during the previous fiscal year, which ended on June 30. It includes a financial report and highlights of the Association's efforts to serve members, including in-district touchpoints, advocacy, technology-driven efficiencies, and more. Read the IASB Annual Report.

School Board Members Day Resources
November 15 is School Board Members Day in Illinois. IASB has resources available to help districts honor local education leaders. Recognition materials include images, activity suggestions, sample key messages, an honorary certificate, and social media content that can be used to recognize members of your school board. Districts are encouraged to use #ThankABoardMember when recognizing school board members on social media. 

News and Information for Elections & Candidates
School board candidates can start circulating nominating petitions for signatures for the April 6, 2027, Consolidated Election as of August 25. A reminder to school board candidates for the April 6, 2027 Consolidated Election: the petition filing period is November 16-23, 2026.

IASB is conducting a series of webinars for interested candidates. The series includes a livestream on Petition Filing, scheduled for noon on November 4. Recordings of the first three in the series are now available and cover the role of the school board, petition circulation, and the Statement of Economic Interest. Visit the IASB School Board Elections page for more resources and materials to help school board candidates navigate the election process and understand the duties and responsibilities of an effective school leader.

Join IASB for Trends in Collective Bargaining
Registration is now open for Trends in Collective Bargaining, a half-day training event for Illinois school board members and superintendents.

Prepare for your next collective bargaining session by learning from Illinois school attorneys and school district representatives who have been through the process. What are the trends in compensation and benefits? How do we identify problems and resolve differences? How do we prepare for negotiating sessions? Join IASB to learn about these issues, understand regional topics, and prepare for the responsibilities of boards and administrators at the bargaining table.

Visit the IASB Trends in Collective Bargaining webpage for more information and to register. 

Gift Ban Act Reminders
The Gift Ban article of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430/10-10 et seq.) only allows school board members and school employees to accept from a prohibited source: (1) food or refreshments not exceeding $75 per person per calendar day, provided they are either consumed on the premises from which they were purchased or prepared, or catered (delivered and ready to eat); and (2) any item(s) during any calendar year having a cumulative total value of less than $100. Any entity or person becomes a prohibited source by, among other things, “seeking official action” from or “do[ing] business or seek[ing] to do business with” school officials. Download Gift Ban Provisions of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act FAQ to learn more.

IASB Welcomes New Legal Assistant
Joseph Manganello has joined IASB as a Legal Assistant in the Office of General Counsel, based in the Lombard Office. Manganello brings experience in labor justice and government administration, after working as a Program Coordinator in the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division. He recently received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where he gained experience in labor organizing, magazine writing, and community building. Manganello grew up attending public schools in the Chicago suburbs and is looking forward to supporting school districts and communities across the state. 

Conference Attendees Urged to Download, Access, and Use the App
The 2026 Conference app can be obtained from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for “ILjac26” or via links in the email sent to registrants on October 28. When signing in to the app, use the email address associated with the Conference registration. After signing in, you receive a follow-up email from Pheedloop containing a verification code that grants access to the Conference app.

Conference registrants are encouraged to download the app, as it will provide attendees with the most up-to-date and accurate Conference information. It will also be where organizers share special announcements, including panel changes or cancellations, important reminders, and timely notifications. 
 
Within the app, you can navigate the event schedule and create a personal agenda suited to your interests or role with your district. View the event schedule by date or filter by panel track, suggested audience, special event format, or room location. Maps of Conference venues, a photo gallery, an attendee and exhibitor list, and a Conference social feed are also available. The app also contains important safety information.

Another Conference note: Conference attendee badges will be printed onsite at each of the three hotels where events take place: The Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Grand, and Swissôtel. Badges won’t be mailed to the districts this year.