Chicago’s first school board elections take place this November. But now that we have a district map, election plan, and potential candidates are gathering signatures, one big question remains: Will school board members eventually be paid for their service? Currently, state law prohibits paying board members, but host Jacoby Cochran asks professor Arionne Nettles and Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt if Illinois should reconsider this in order to create a more diverse and inclusive candidate pool. Plus, we are looking ahead at NASCAR’s July street race, Mayor Johnson’s plan to convert downtown offices into apartments, initiatives to make Ramadan more eco-friendly, and two new Chicago books to read this spring! Books you should check out:  The City is Up for Grabs: How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis is available now.  We Are The Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything is available for pre-order, out April 16. Our episode where we attended iftar at the Muslim Community Center.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about our sponsor: “Purpose” at Steppenwolf Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices