rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/protect-charter-students-and-families?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-protect-charter-students-and-families' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Chicago Teachers Union https://actionnetwork.org/groups/chicago-teachers-union https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Right now in Springfield, legislators are deciding whether to protect students, educators, and taxpayers, or whether to protect charter operators, when charter schools close. We’ve seen what happens when there are no safeguards. In just the last two years: Two ASPIRA schools closed mid-semester, forcing CPS to step in and relocate over 500 students in the span of a few weeks. EPIC Academy families were informed just a few weeks after school started that their school would close at the end of the year, leaving hundreds to find a new school. Acero announced mass closures impacting thousands of students, staff, and families. ChiArts cited financial instability and did not renew its contract with CPS, walking away from nearly 600 students. When charter operators walk away from their commitments or mismanage finances, students are displaced, educators lose jobs, and taxpayers are left to clean up the mess. SB3391 / HB5063 fixes this. This bill will: Require charter operators to plan ahead with a closure fund. Hold operators accountable for financial mismanagement. Ensure teachers and staff are paid what they are owed. Protect taxpayer-funded assets. Guarantee basic contract accountability. This is simple: public dollars should come with public responsibility. Use the form on this page to email your state senator and representative today and urge them to support SB3391 / HB5063. https://ctulocal1.org/protect