Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced that Dr. Christine Benson, a member of the board, has been awarded the 2024 Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). This award is given annually to three state board members for their outstanding contributions to public education and leadership.

Dr. Benson's career in education spans over 35 years, during which she has served as an educator, administrator, and state leader. She is currently serving her second term on the ISBE Board as secretary and has previously held positions as Board chair and chair of the Finance Committee.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders remarked, "Dr. Benson has been a steadfast advocate for students throughout her career. Her commitment to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education has been instrumental in how we support learning and how we advocate for the resources schools and educators need. This recognition from NASBE is a testament to her leadership and vision."

ISBE Board Chair Dr. Steven Isoye also praised Dr. Benson’s efforts: “Chris' leadership in these areas and others is extremely valuable for influencing locally elected officials. Her dedication to 'getting it right' for the children of our state has always been a top priority."

Dr. Benson has notably championed Career and Technical Education (CTE), securing a $10 million increase in funding for CTE pathways in fiscal year 2025. She played a significant role in advancing equitable state funding for these programs and was key in securing professional development funding under the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan.

Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Benson has worked as a music teacher, school administrator, and superintendent across various Illinois school districts. Her leadership influenced initiatives such as the state's strategic education plan and Vision 20/20, focusing on equity in funding and enhancing educators' roles in policymaking.

Appointed to the ISBE Board by Governor JB Pritzker in 2019 and reappointed in 2021, Dr. Benson's term will conclude in January 2025.