IASB/ISBE Advisory Group Invitation 
IASB members are invited to meet with Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent, and ISBE staff for an hour-long session to discuss topics proposed by local boards. The next meeting will be virtual on September 3 at 9 a.m. If you are interested in participating, please email Jody Burtnett, IASB Executive Assistant.

 Key Dates Posted for Upcoming Elections
School board candidates can start circulating nominating petitions for signatures for the April 6, 2027, Consolidated Election on Tuesday, August 25. Petitions can be filed November 16-23, 2026. More information about other relevant election dates is available in “Key Dates for Candidates.” Also posted on the School Board Elections webpage are the 2027 Candidates Guide (including information about petitions and statement of economic interest), the 2027 Election and Campaign Finance Calendar, and other resources to help candidates.

Also, August 17 is the last day for a school board to adopt resolutions to place public policy questions on the ballot for the November 3, 2026, General Election (105 ILCS 5/9-1.5). The local school board election authority is responsible for receiving citizen-led questions and certifying petitions and board resolutions for referenda. School districts have until August 27, 2026, for the board secretary to certify public policy questions to the election authority (10 ILCS 5/28-5).

 Court Decisions Updated
IASB maintains a page of Recent Court and Agency Decisions Involving Board Work, which was updated to include cases from Spring 2026. IASB's Office of General Counsel prepares these summaries, drawn from the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, federal courts, agencies, the Illinois Public Access Counselor, and other tribunals issuing decisions of interest to, or that may affect, the work of Illinois school boards.

 New Resource for Media
IASB has developed guidelines for members of the media covering school board meetings. The "Guide for Media: Working with Boards of Education" webpage provides information on how school boards operate, what happens at board meetings, and what the media can and cannot expect. Developing a board/media relationship based on trust, understanding, and transparency sets the scene for fairness, accuracy, and connection – for all parties. The document is publicly available and boards can share the information with their local media.

End of Session Report
Members can now find the 2026 End of Session Report online. The report highlights legislative activity that took place during the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly. The End of Session Report includes a general overview of legislative action relating to public education and Illinois school districts, as well as sections on the state budget, bills supported and opposed by IASB, and proposals that did not pass that could reemerge in the future.

Journal Summer Reading Includes Administrator Salaries, AI, and Education Technology
The July/August issue of the Illinois School Board Journal presents a variety of topics for Summer Reading. The annual administrator salary study takes a big-picture view, comparing full-time equivalent salaries plus monetary benefits for Illinois school administrators. A series exploring the connections between artificial intelligence and the work of boards of education continues with “Where Boards Must Draw the Line and How They Govern Responsibly.” The issue also includes a commentary on “When Technology Reshapes the Conditions for Learning.”

IASB members will find the Journal in their postal mailboxes. Selected text is featured on the IASB website, and a full digital edition flipbook is available online.

Holly Jack Award Nominations Due September 15
Nominations for the 2026 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award are due by 5 p.m. on September 15. The award honors the memory of longtime IASB administrative assistant, Holly Jack, and her contributions. It recognizes the extraordinary work and service provided by administrative professionals who support their local boards of education.

Collaboration on Statewide Framework for Success
IASB has collaborated with ISBE and other statewide organizations, including the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, Illinois Principals Association, and Illinois Association of School Administrators, to build a unified model supporting school improvement, including at the school board level. The Statewide Framework for Success offers resources for schools along the entire spectrum of school performance, including a level of support that is completely free for any school or district.

Joint Annual Conference Scheduled for November 20-22
The 2026 Joint Annual Conference offers innovation, leadership, and real‑world solutions, coming together to move Illinois schools forward. Join thousands of school leaders for three days of training, networking, and peer support in Chicago, November 20-22. Registration is open, and the latest information is available at IASB.com/conference. An informative webinar, Conference: Housing Tips and Updates, will take place on August 6 at noon, and members can also view recorded webinars about maximizing the Conference experience.