Chicago Voters Make History in First Elected School Board Elections

For the first time in history, Chicago voters went to the polls on Tuesday to elect members of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education. This milestone marks a significant shift from the city’s long-standing tradition of a mayor-appointed school board to a hybrid model that includes both elected and appointed members.

The elections were held amidst a tumultuous period for the district, which saw the full resignation of the previous board, the appointment of seven new members by Mayor Brandon Johnson, and the recent resignation of the newly appointed board president, Rev. Mitchell Johnson, over anti-Semitic and misogynistic remarks.

Ten seats representing different districts across the city were contested, with the winners set to join 11 members appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. This hybrid board will be in place until 2027, when all 21 school board seats will be up for election.

The campaign was characterized by significant spending and sharp divisions, particularly between union-aligned candidates and those supported by pro-school choice groups. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) played a substantial role, pouring close to $2 million into the races and backing candidates who align with the union’s policy visions, such as avoiding school closures and potentially taking out a loan to cover upcoming costs.

The newly elected members will take office in January and will face immediate challenges, including addressing the district’s financial woes and navigating the transition from mayoral control. The board’s composition will be crucial in determining the district’s future direction, especially in areas such as budget management and school choice policies.

The transition to a hybrid board is part of a broader legislative change signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021, which phases out the previous seven-member board of mayoral appointees. This change reflects years of advocacy and legislative efforts to give voters more say in the governance of CPS.