In response to Illinois's consolidation of all elections, this handbook aims to assist school board secretaries in coordinating election duties and responsibilities with local election authorities. The handbook comprises 13 sections. Section 1 defines 11 election consolidation terms. Section 2 explains how specific elections are scheduled, and section 3 shows the election dates. A calendar of nonpartisan election events (such as candidate filings) is listed in section 4. Board candidates are covered in section 5, including their qualifications, terms, filing notices, nominating papers, candidacy statement, statement of economic interests, and withdrawal, plus issues of board vacancies and campaign financing. Section 6 discusses candidate certification, objections to candidates, and candidate placement on the ballot. Conduct of the election is explicated in section 7, including election notices and judges, pollwatchers, ballots, precinct clustering, boundary changes, supplies, and polling hours. Absentee voting and voter qualifications, registration, and identification are covered in section 8. Procedures for tallying, checking, and proclaiming election results--including recounts--are set forth in section 9. Section 10 explains procedures for referenda on public policy, while sections 11 and 12 describe "back-door" (votes on board actions) and emergency referenda. Section 13 examines election costs. (RW)