IASB is pleased to report 100% retention of its 100% membership for FY27, with 849 Active Member districts. This is the first time ever that the Association has achieved this milestone. As of September 30, IASB also has 86 Affiliate Members, 72 Service Associates, 13 Honorary Members, and five Associate Members.

Journal Readers Get the Latest on DEI, AI for Boards
The September/October issue of the Illinois School Board Journal looks at Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the definition and relevance of Educational Equity today. Also included is the next in a series on education governance and AI. Members can find the printed Journal in the postal mailbox where they receive district mail, or can read select text online and check out the complete digital flipbook. 

FOIA-Related Case Added to IASB’s Court Decisions Page
IASB's Office of General Counsel prepares summaries chosen from the Illinois Supreme and Appellate courts, federal court, agencies, the Illinois Public Access Counselor, and other tribunals issuing interesting decisions. A new decision, from the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor, has been added to the Recent Decisions page. Related to the Freedom of Information Act, the decision is on Withholding Communications Exchanged with Third Party and Subsequently Sent to Attorney. 

IASB Publishes New School Laws for 2026
IASB has published a summary of new laws that impact K-12 education and were passed during the 2026 Spring Session of the Illinois General Assembly. New School Laws is a compilation of these public acts and offers local school officials an opportunity to review the actions of the General Assembly and the Governor during this legislative session, alert school leaders and public-school advocates to changes in existing laws, and give school boards adequate time to prepare for new laws. 

IASB & Its Governmental Relations Team Welcome Two New Staffers
Andrew Cunningham joins IASB as Director of Governmental Relations, working from the Springfield office. He brings over seven years of experience in government relations, public policy, and nonprofits. Prior to IASB, Cunningham worked in legislative affairs for one of the state’s leading business associations. He received a bachelor’s in political science and a Master's of Public Administration and certificate in community planning from the University of Illinois-Springfield. Cunningham looks forward to working to advance the IASB’s mission in the public education space.

Rin Naylor joins the Illinois Association of School Boards as Administrative Assistant on the Governmental Relations team. Originally from Indiana, Naylor attended Valparaiso University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology and worked as a research assistant. After a year working as a teller at a credit union in Virginia, Naylor joined IASB for the opportunity to work in a role aligned with her educational background. Naylor will be based in the Association’s Lombard office.