The State Superintendent is nominated by the Governor of Illinois and serves at the pleasure of the Illinois State Board of Education.
Since at least 2007, the superintendent is hired at the beginning of a new gubernatorial term after the governor appoints the State Board of Education.
[1] From 1851 to 1975, the role was an elected statewide office,[citation needed] the Superintendent of Public Instruction; the old name is still referred to in some laws.
[2] Following the inaugural appointment of Ninian Wirt Edwards, the office was an elected position.
[citation needed] The powers and duties of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction were transferred to the Illinois State Board of Education on January 12, 1975.