Page 4 - Mark Cramer News Today

Some races for Northwest suburban and Lake County municipal offices and school boards have generated controversy -- and more than a little public attention -- ahead of Tuesdays election.

Two years ago, school board races across the suburbs drew long lines of candidates galvanized by mask mandates and remote learning. This election cycle, school board hopefuls from Wheaton to Palatine have refocused their energy on heated debates over library books, lessons on racism and the role of parents in deciding what is taught in classrooms.

The race for four available seats on the Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board of education is down to 10 active candidates after one announced her withdrawal Thursday, a day after a League of Women Voters forum.

With significant financial support from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Democratic Party is getting involved in contests for school and library board seats this spring to combat what officials call "really extreme candidates."

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211s controversial adoption of the states revised sex education curriculum last November remains a point of criticism from some in the community and a matter of debate among the 11 candidates running for the board of education.

All three school districts whose boundaries include the Chicago Bears 326-acre Arlington Park property are now all on board in hiring a joint lobbyist to oppose, or at least amend, legislation that would give the franchise a massive tax break there.

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board members voted 3-2 Thursday to postpone joining two neighboring districts in hiring a lobbyist for a proposed state bill offering a tax break to the Chicago Bears stadium project, until a specific individual is recommended.

A Saturday forum for Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 candidates, which had been designed to ensure a variety of topics, ended up being dominated by audience questions about the districts controversial adoption of the states comprehensive sex education curriculum.

On his personal blog, Duck Duck Go founder Gabe Weinberg continues his Traction video series with Surf Canyon CEO Mark Cramer. MIGHT BE WORTH YOUR TIME

After two hours of contentious public comment, Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 school board members voted 5-2 late Thursday to adopt units on sexual orientation and gender identity as part of the states recently expanded sex education curriculum.