Plenty of state policies have been noteworthy in 2004, but one that had major impact went into effect in Illinois, where the governance of education was significantly restructured. S.B. 3000 (the Education Reform and Accountability Act of 2004) gives the governor greater influence over education through his or her control of the state board of education. Previously, the Illinois state board was appointed by the governor, but, because of the way in which the terms were staggered, an incoming governor could inherit another governor's appointees. And because the state board appoints the chief state school officer, the person in that position might not reflect a governor's goals for education. The terms of seven of the nine members of the state board ended with the effective date of this bill -- 14 September 2004. Gov. Rod Blagojevich then nominated replacements for those seven. In the future, whenever any governor takes office in January, that executive will nominate all members whose terms begin after that date -- for the duration of the governor's time in office. S.B. 3000 also limits the size of the board to eight members plus a chairperson, reducing the total board size by one.