The Illinois Association of School Boards carries out most of its legislative activities through its partnership in the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance. Other Alliance partners include the Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Association of School Business Officials and the Illinois Principals Association. The ability of each of these organizations to influence public policy is enhanced through the cooperative efforts of the Statewide School Management Alliance, which directs all of their efforts at producing legislation that fosters a favorable educational climate in Illinois and promotes effective school board leadership.

Through combined efforts of all four organizations, the School Management Alliance maintains close liaison with the State Board of Education, Illinois Senate and House Education Committees, Office of the Governor, governmental offices and agencies. Alliance staff also maintain close working relationships with dozens of organizations and interest groups that influence public policy, such as the Illinois Taxpayers' Federation, State Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the Illinois Learning Partnership, an emerging coalition of organizations in the business and school communities.

In addition to the Alliance, IASB supports the Federal Relations Network (FRN),   a nationwide network of school board members organized by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) to keep boards of education in touch with the Congress. The IASB Board of Directors is authorized to name up to five FRN members from each congressional district, all of whom stay in touch with their representatives and senators throughout the year, reporting back to school boards in their congressional districts. They also attend an annual FRN conference in Washington, D.C. to directly lobby their elected representatives.

IASB legislative communications activities include the following:

• Legislative Forums/Workshops. IASB presents regional legislative forums/workshops for board members and administrators each spring before the legislative session. Key legislators are invited to address board concerns. The workshop is an opportunity for board members to become more knowledgeable and effective in working with lawmakers.
• Legislative Briefings. IASB's governmental relations staff conducts briefings on the Association's platform and major legislative issues throughout the state to prepare board members to participate more effectively in the legislative process.
• Alliance Legislative Report. Compiled each week during sessions of the General Assembly and as needed during off-session times, Legislative Reports summarize major legislative activities and bills of interest. Facsimile transmission (FAX) puts up-to-the-minute information in the district administrative office each week where it is readily distributed to members of the school board and the management team.
• Digest of Bills Passed and New School Laws summarize bills sent to the governor (each July) and bills signed into law (each January). Compiled by the School Management Alliance, copies are mailed to superintendents, business officials and principals, as well as to each school board's legislative liaison and president.