The Chicago school board election is approaching, with over 40 candidates actively campaigning. On Tuesday, voters will elect all 21 members of the Chicago Board of Education, ending decades of mayoral control. The race has been notable for its heavy advertising and fundraising efforts, with many local forums taking place.
Election Stakes
The board manages Chicago Public Schools, the country’s third-largest district, with a budget of $10 billion and 304,000 students. Decisions range from contract approvals to property taxes and potential school closures. The board president collaborates with district leaders to direct CPS policy.
Candidates and Issues
Campaigns focus on issues like the district’s debt, student performance, and state funding. Two major factions are contesting control: those supported by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and pro-school-choice groups. The existing board largely aligns with CTU, influenced by appointments made by Mayor Brandon Johnson. This cycle, the CTU has endorsed candidates in only 15 races, partially due to five uncontested races. The union’s funding has been outpaced by super PACs, such as Common Ground Collective and the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, which have invested over $4.6 million against CTU-backed candidates.
Notable Races
The board president race is the costliest, with three contenders: current board member Jessica Biggs, ex-CTU deputy Hilario Dominguez, and lawyer Victor Henderson. Financial activities have escalated, with nearly $8.7 million spent on this contest. Biggs has raised $1.85 million since last fall, benefiting from SEIU support and a $1 million donation from billionaire Michael Sacks. Dominguez received $1.75 million, mainly from CTU and related PACs. Henderson has primarily self-funded, raising $737,000. Special interest influence has been a contentious topic, with groups spending $3.1 million on ads targeting Dominguez.
District-Level Competitions
District elections have also intensified. Che “Rhymefest” Smith, an incumbent in District 10A, faces a CTU-endorsed write-in challenge from Tameka Walton. Smith leverages his community engagement and established record, while Walton relies on volunteer-driven campaigns.
Awareness of district-specific races is lesser compared to the citywide board president contest, though it is increasing. Recent polling suggests 77% voter awareness of the election, compared to 59% in May. However, only a third of surveyed voters can identify their current representative, according to Nelson Gerew of the Chicago Public Education Fund.
Candidate Experiences
On the North Side, Kyna Lenhof, running in District 2B, engages with voters enthusiastically. She highlights the energetic involvement of the community as she reaches out to constituents. “Many candidates, including myself, are first-time participants in such campaigns, learning as we go,” Lenhof noted. Her opponent, incumbent Debby Pope, endorsed by CTU, focuses on early voting efforts in the high-turnout area.
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