Chicagoans are preparing for a historic school board election this November. For the first time, all 21 seats on the Chicago Board of Education will be up for election, and voters will also select a citywide school board president. The board oversees Chicago Public Schools, which serve roughly 305,000 children across more than 600 schools.
How to Vote
Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election starts on Oct. 1 at two main sites: the Downtown Voting Supersite at 137 S. State St. and the Chicago Board of Elections office at 69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor. Additional early‑voting locations open in all 50 wards on Oct. 19. On Election Day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; voters can find their assigned precinct polling place here.
Candidate Overview
Forty‑six candidates are running for the 21 seats, with a mix of incumbents, community activists, educators and private‑sector professionals. Some will earn two‑year terms, others four‑year terms, depending on the district’s vote totals.
Board President Race: The city’s first‑ever elected board president will wield significant influence over CPS policy for the next four years. The race has attracted millions in campaign contributions and endorsements from both school‑choice advocates and traditional education groups.
Northwest Side: A retired Chicago police officer, backed by two local aldermen, seeks to unseat a longtime community‑development advocate who was appointed by the mayor. Two women with extensive political experience also vie for seats on the Northwest Side.
Far North Side Lakefront: An attorney and a businessman challenge an incumbent with a community‑organizing background in a three‑way contest.
Far Northwest Side: A mayor‑appointed retired CPS teacher faces a former special‑education teacher concerned about district debt and a data scientist pushing for more state funding.
District 3a (Northwest Side): A newcomer supported by private donors and charter‑school advocates challenges a longtime activist linked to the Chicago Teachers Union.
Humboldt Park: Two former Teach for America teachers, both alumni of selective‑enrollment high schools, compete again for the same seat.
North Side: An incumbent runs unopposed after a crowded 2024 race; pro‑school‑choice groups heavily backed her against a union‑backed challenger.
West Side: A realtor backed by school‑choice advocates aims to unseat a veteran education activist with CTU ties; a retired special‑education teacher is also a write‑in candidate.
Downtown: A former lobbyist leading a statewide advocacy group faces an incumbent with a mayoral appointment, a special‑education classroom assistant backed by school‑choice groups, and an independent education researcher.
South Side: Two newcomers—a longtime pastor and a CPS‑mom lawyer—run in a race without major labor union endorsements. In another South Side district, a Grammy‑winning hip‑hop artist turned activist is the sole ballot name, facing only a write‑in challenger.
Far South Side: A retired CPS psychologist currently on the board and a former CPS mom speech‑language pathologist compete for the seat.
Why This Election Matters
The board will set the vision and goals for CPS for the next four years, influencing everything from curriculum choices to fiscal responsibility. With mayoral control ending after 30 years, the elected board will have greater authority to shape policy, budgeting and school‑choice initiatives.
Resources
Voters can explore a district map to learn about candidates and local school demographics. The guide also provides links to sign up for education newsletters from WBEZ, the Chicago Sun‑Times and Chalkbeat Chicago.
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Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
