Carla Micaela Fuentes

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to testify virtually before the Illinois General Assembly during the first-ever subject matter hearing in creating a state legal pathway for a Chicago City Charter.

Drawing from my experience on the Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission, I shared a few lessons from our process: public engagement should shape the work, not simply respond to it; commissions need Independence and support; scope should be clear, but adaptable; and the path from recommendations to voters should be clear from the start.

One point I kept coming back to: elections determine who holds power, while a charter helps establish the rules under which power is exercised.

Grateful for the thoughtful questions and for the chance to share a little of Los Angeles's experience as Chicago considers something historic of its own. ✨🔮