Governor Pritzker Signs HB297

It’s Official!

Our Arbitration Bill, which passed both the House and Senate, has now been formally signed into law by Governor Pritzker! We are thrilled to celebrate its passage and want to extend our deepest gratitude to every single member who made calls, signed petitions, sent messages, and stood with us through this journey. It’s been a tough fight, but together, we’ve secured the protections we deserve as Chicago’s foremost school leaders: principals and assistant principals. 

There are key players we absolutely must thank:

  • Governor Pritzker: Signing HB297 into law has strengthened not only our profession but also the stability of Chicago’s public schools.
  • To Illinois legislators: Thank you for standing with principals and assistant principals. Your commitment to education over politics is a win for Chicago’s students.
  • A special thanks to Representative Davis and Senator Preston for championing HB297. Your leadership ensures we can better support the schools and children in our care.
  • We also want to express our gratitude to our union partners—your strength, solidarity, and unwavering support have been vital in making this victory possible. Together, our collective action as unions has proven that when we stand united, we are unstoppable.
  • And of course, this victory is THANKS TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, OUR MEMBERS. The bipartisan support we received was a huge accomplishment. While the weight of this fight may have rested on Troy’s capable shoulders, it’s truly a testament to our collective strength as members. 

From setbacks to triumph, this victory speaks to the power of perseverance.

Don’t stop now—let’s keep up the momentum! Reach out, thank the Governor, thank your representatives, and continue showing up for our union. We do it for us. We do it for all. We do it for our students and the profession we believe in.

Next up: the Collective Bargaining Agreement! Securing this agreement is essential to ensure fair working conditions for all school leaders. We continue to negotiate, now with the added confidence that any impasse will be settled fairly, without unnecessary delays. This victory is just the beginning of what’s to come.

Rease the official CPAA press release HERE.