East Central Reporter

Chris Miller, representative for Illinois' 101st State House District, has attributed the termination of a scholarship program aiding low-income children in attending private schools to the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). He further said that charter schools are the union's next target.

"CTU has already killed the state scholarship program that was helping 15,000 low-income children," said Chris G. Miller, State Representative for 101st District (R), according to Facebook. "Now they are going after charter schools."

According to Illinois Policy, there are currently 21 charter schools operating within the Chicago Public Schools system. Although these schools can be renewed for up to ten years, the Chicago Board of Education voted in May to renew them for shorter terms. Specifically, 11 received two-year renewals and eight received four-year renewals. Illinois Policy suggests this approach may create instability that could be leveraged by the CTU to limit parental access to charter schools. Furthermore, a new collective bargaining contract with the CTU restricts both the number of charter schools in the city and caps student enrollment in those institutions.

Screenshot of State Representative Chris Miller's June 24 Facebook post | State Representative Chris Miller's Facebook page

Chalkbeat reported that the renewal process for Chicago Public Schools' charter schools occurred on May 29, several months later than usual. The Chicago Board of Education also considered a resolution aimed at increasing oversight and imposing new requirements on charter schools. These include an 18-month notice before closure and financial responsibility for closure costs. The resolution urged lawmakers to amend state laws to prevent charters from closing during their renewal periods. Proponents argue these measures offer stability for parents, while critics contend they grant CPS greater control over local charter schools.

Miller was first elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 2019 and is an Illinois native. He is a third-generation cattle farmer and grain operator based in Hindsboro. According to his official biography, he holds an associate degree in agriculture from Lake Land College and a Bachelor of Science in Education.