Chicago voters have turned out in record numbers for the city’s first fully elected school board, with more than 1.1 million ballots cast so far. Early counts suggest that candidates backed by school‑choice advocates will secure a thin majority, including the presidency, thereby curbing the Chicago Teachers Union’s (CTU) dominance that has shaped board decisions for the past two years.
Election results and early leads
The Chicago Board of Elections is still tabulating votes, and four races remain too close to call (districts 3b, 5b, 6a, 7a). Nonetheless, the preliminary picture is clear: pro‑school‑choice groups are on track to win 11 of the 21 seats, enough to elect Jessica Biggs as board president.
Biggs’ campaign was heavily supported by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which contributed more than $200,000 through a political action committee, and by billionaire donor Michael Sacks, whose contributions exceeded $1 million. SEIU has split from the CTU on budget matters since a 2024 dispute over special‑education staffing, positioning itself as a fiscal‑conservative voice for school support staff.
Implications for policy and budgeting
The incoming board will inherit a budget shortfall that the current board tried to close with anticipated state aid. If that money fails to materialize during the November veto session, the new members will need to decide whether to raise property taxes, cut programs, or find alternative revenue streams. A majority of the presumed winners have publicly opposed automatically raising property taxes to the legal limit, signaling a preference for tighter fiscal discipline.
In addition, many of the newly elected members have signed a pledge to restrict the use of AI‑based tools for students and staff, though they may adopt a more nuanced policy after further study.
Balancing interests and parental voice
Parent‑advocacy leader Hal Woods of Kids First warned that the board could face gridlock as it navigates competing priorities. “I don’t think anyone can assume either side can control key decisions,” Woods said. He emphasized that parents want representatives who listen rather than follow partisan marching orders.
While the pro‑school‑choice bloc is expected to support charter schools and more market‑based solutions, several members—such as newcomer Brittany Kimble—have expressed willingness to consider school closures only after careful planning and community input, reflecting a pragmatic approach to declining enrollment.
What’s next for Chicago schools
The board’s first actions in early 2027 will set the tone for how responsive it is to Chicago families. With eight newcomers among the 21 members, the board’s composition promises fresh perspectives but also a learning curve as they grapple with the complexities of the nation’s third‑largest school district.
Stakeholders across the spectrum—parents, teachers, charter operators, and labor unions—will be watching closely to see whether the new board can balance fiscal responsibility with the educational needs of the city’s children while honoring the voice of the electorate that turned out in unprecedented numbers.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
