Finally, the Illinois State Board of Education has taken action against school boards whose inaction has put their districts in peril for far too long.

Last week, the board voted to remove the boards from the East St. Louis and North Chicago school districts, and put into place “independent authorities” that will operate the districts with a charge to improve school performance and student achievement.

By Friday, members of the East St. Louis board already had found lawyers and asked a judge to halt the move. It’s likely the North Chicago members will, too.