With just days to go before Chicago's first-ever elected school board vote, candidates across the city are intensifying efforts to engage voters ahead of the April 2 election. The contest represents a significant shift for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), which has been under mayoral control for decades. This election will fill all 21 seats on the board, which oversees the nation’s third-largest school district, responsible for a $10 billion budget and approximately 304,000 students.
Candidates have been actively canvassing neighborhoods, distributing campaign materials, and attending local forums, though voter familiarity with the down-ballot races remains uneven. According to a recent poll sponsored by the Chicago Public Education Fund, about 77% of registered voters are now aware of the school board election, up from 59% earlier in the year. However, only roughly one-third of those surveyed said they recognized their current board representative.
The election pits two primary factions against each other. One camp is backed by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson, while the other is supported by pro-school-choice groups critical of the CTU’s influence. Many current board members, appointed by Mayor Johnson earlier this year, have CTU backing, but the union has endorsed candidates in only 15 of the 21 races, including uncontested ones. They are facing significant financial opposition from super PACs affiliated with Common Ground Collective and the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, which have collectively spent more than $4.6 million targeting CTU-backed candidates.
The race for board president is the most expensive and high-profile, drawing nearly $8.7 million in combined fundraising and independent expenditures. The three contenders include incumbent Jessica Biggs, former CTU deputy political director Hilario Dominguez, and attorney Victor Henderson. Biggs has raised approximately $1.85 million, with substantial donations from SEIU and billionaire Democratic donor Michael Sacks, who has also invested heavily in Common Ground Collective efforts. Dominguez’s $1.75 million haul is predominantly funded by the CTU and its affiliated PAC, Our Schools. Henderson has reported $737,000, mostly self-funded. Outside spending groups have targeted Dominguez with $3.1 million in ads alone, illustrating the intense financial competition in the race.
In individual district contests, activity has also heated up. District 10A incumbent Che “Rhymefest” Smith, a Grammy-winning rapper, is facing a serious write-in challenge from Tameka Walton, a nonprofit executive who launched her campaign after being removed from the ballot. Both have engaged in grassroots outreach and digital advertising efforts, with Walton emphasizing a comprehensive ground game to boost voter turnout. Despite low name recognition in many districts, candidates say voter interest overall is increasing.
On the North Side, District 2B candidates reflect the broader energy of the race. First-time candidate Kyna Lenhof described strong voter engagement during her outreach efforts, while incumbent Debby Pope, a retired teacher endorsed by the CTU, has focused on high turnout at early voting sites.
As Election Day approaches, the outcomes will determine how Chicago’s school policies on budget priorities, student achievement, and education reform are shaped moving forward, marking a pivotal moment in the governance of CPS.