Chicago's Local School Councils (LSCs) are the key to successful school reform efforts. Among the numerous decisions that LSCs make that have major effects on schools are the selection of a principal, the adoption of a school improvement plan, and the approving of a school's budget. Based on attendance of over 250 LSC meetings by staff of the Chicago Panel's project on Monitoring and Researching the Efforts of School Reform in Chicago, this report provides questions, answers, and illustrations in three broad areas. The first is the nature of LSC meetings and what they look like. Discussed are agendas, minutes, correspondence/announcements, reports, seating patterns and meeting places, and public participation. The next focus area is on how councils make decisions. Quorums, motions, discussion, voting, and using good information are elaborated upon. The final area is how council members contribute to their LSC and school at council meetings, outside of council meetings, in interaction with other members of the school and community, and as individuals. In each of the three broad areas, suggestions for actions are made. Appended are a list of organizations and contact numbers for training opportunities for LSCs and highlights of the Amended School Reform Act (No. PA85-1418). (RR)