CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters celebrated the signing of House Bill 5107 Friday, granting Chicago principals and administrators the ability to collectively bargain.

“Principals and assistant principals play a key role in the ecosystem of schools,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This measure is long overdue as the leadership of principals sets the atmosphere for the success of teachers, staff and students.”

House Bill 5107 clarifies the language of “managerial employees” pertaining to educators, enshrining principals and assistant principals in Chicago the right to unionize.

The law additionally allows principals and assistant principals to negotiate a work contract to focus time on developing teachers and school culture instead of dealing with problems that fall under the district’s responsibility.

“Principals are now empowered to use their voice to help craft appropriate guidance for the prosperity of the school they look after,” Peters said.

House bill 5107 was signed into law Friday. It takes immediate effect.

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