The four candidates vying to become president of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) board outlined their priorities and engaged in a largely policy-focused discussion during the first televised town hall of the race. The event, held earlier this month and moderated by WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” anchor Brandis Friedman, featured current board member Jessica Biggs, former Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) organizer Hilario Dominguez, trial attorney Victor Henderson, and former board appointee Sendhil Revuluri. The candidates are competing to lead CPS’ governing body in the November election following the decision by incumbent Sean Harden not to seek reelection.
Candidates addressed a wide range of issues affecting the school district before a live studio audience, including finance, governance, and accountability. A key topic of debate centered on CPS’ $10.11 billion budget, which relies on $150 million in anticipated state funding that has not yet been confirmed. Dominguez supported the budget, framing it as a strategic move to pressure Illinois lawmakers into providing necessary funds and prevent layoffs. Other candidates, including Biggs, Henderson, and Revuluri, criticized the budget for its reliance on uncertain revenue, warning it could expose the district to midyear cuts.
Voter engagement also emerged as a theme. At one point, a 17-year-old student from Ogden International High School questioned the candidates on how they would prioritize the interests of students. Dominguez, who was once a CPS student organizing a walkout over budget cuts, encouraged active participation in democratic processes. Henderson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for civic involvement in education governance.
Each candidate brought distinct backgrounds and endorsements to the race. Biggs, a former CPS principal, has emphasized her community connections and is supported by SEIU, the union representing support staff, while Dominguez has aligned closely with CTU, the district’s largest teachers union. Henderson has positioned himself as an independent outsider, and Revuluri has highlighted his experience as a former board vice president.
The town hall also touched on personal controversies. Henderson addressed past allegations contained in a 2011 divorce filing regarding his disciplinary actions toward his children, defending his actions as attempts to provide guidance and dismissing suggestions that opponents were using the issue to undermine him. Dominguez and Revuluri sparred over a campaign finance complaint Revuluri’s team filed against Dominguez, alleging incomplete filings. Dominguez said the complaint was withdrawn and baseless, while Revuluri maintained it was pulled due to timing issues and not merit.
Biggs responded to scrutiny over her tenure as principal of Burke Elementary in Washington Park, where she was dismissed amid allegations of altering attendance data. She contended that her firing was politically motivated after she challenged changes to custodial contracts, noting that her do-not-hire status was lifted last year following a review.
Despite the candidates’ efforts to distinguish themselves, voter indecision remains high in the down-ballot race. Internal polls from various campaigns show no clear front-runner. Several attendees expressed continued uncertainty after the event, underscoring the challenges candidates face in mobilizing the electorate for the November vote. Parents and community members highlighted the importance of staying informed and engaged to influence the district’s future direction.