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- calendar_today October 19, 2026
Historic School Board Election Approaches in Chicago
This fall marks a historic moment for the Chicago school board, as every seat on the Chicago Board of Education will be elected for the first time. On November 3, voters will have their say across 20 newly drawn districts, as well as citywide for the board president.
How Voting Works for the 2026 Election
The Chicago school board has been divided into 20 separate districts. Residents can cast ballots for board members representing their district, as well as participate in a citywide vote for the board president. This shift aims to give communities across the city a direct voice in education policy and governance for Chicago public schools.
Overview of School Board Districts and Candidates
The board's new structure is mapped out across the North Side, West Side, and South Side, each represented by two sub-districts within ten broader zones. Here’s a summary of candidates running in each district:
North Side Districts
- 1a: Ed Bannon, Margie Luczak (O’Hare, Norwood Park, Forest Glen, Jefferson Park, Dunning, Edison Park)
- 1b: Claudia Peralta, Michelle N. Pierre (Portage Park, Dunning, Irving Park, Belmont Cragin, North Park, Montclare, Albany Park)
- 2a: Ebony DeBerry, Hector Morales (West Ridge, Rogers Park, North Park)
- 2b: Deborah “Debby” Pope, Kyna Lenhof (Lincoln Square, Edgewater, Albany Park, Uptown, North Park)
- 3a: Norma Rios Sierra, Peter Gonzales (Avondale, Irving Park, Logan Square, Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Albany Park)
- 3b: Jason Dónes, Carlos Rivas Jr. (Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Belmont Cragin, West Town, Hermosa)
- 4a: Ellen Sherratt, Karen Zaccor, Angel Alvarez (Lakeview, Uptown, North Center, Edgewater)
- 4b: Ellen Rosenfeld (Lincoln Park, North Center, Lakeview, Logan Square)
West Side Districts
- 5a: LaPamela Williams, Aaron “Jitu” Brown, Kernetha Jones (write-in) (Austin, Humboldt Park, West Town, Montclare)
- 5b: Michilla “Kyla” Blaise, Anthony Hargrove (North Lawndale, Near West Side, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, West Town)
- 6a: Anusha Thotakura, Isaiah White, Brenda Lee Anderson (Near North Side, West Town)
South Side Districts
- 6b: Michael L. Neal, Brittany B. Kimble (Greater Grand Crossing, Grand Boulevard, Washington Park, Near South Side, the Loop, Douglas, Woodlawn, Englewood, Fuller Park, Hyde Park)
- 7a: Emma Lozana, Jesus Ayala Jr. (South Lawndale, Near West Side, Lower West Side, Garfield Ridge, Archer Heights)
- 7b: Yesenia Lopez, Erika E. Diaz-Chavez (Brighton Park, Lower West Side, Archer Heights, Bridgeport, Gage Park, West Elsdon, Armour Square, McKinley Park)
- 8a: Angel Gutierrez (Ashburn, Garfield Ridge, Clearing, West Lawn, Chicago Lawn, West Elsdon)
- 8b: Juan Ignacio Gonzalez, Alexander Angeles (write-in) (New City, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, McKinley Park, Bridgeport, the Loop, Brighton Park, West Lawn, Near South Side, Armour Square)
- 9a: Brittany R. Bailey Preston (Auburn Gresham, West Englewood, Englewood, New City, Ashburn, Washington Heights)
- 9b: Therese Boyle, Katherine S. Dunneback (Roseland, West Pullman, Morgan Park, Beverly, Mount Greenwood, Washington Heights)
- 10a: Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Tameka Walton (write-in) (South Shore, Woodlawn, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, South Chicago, Douglas, Oakland)
- 10b: Connie Anderson, Patrick C. Watson, Rosita Chatonda (write-in) (South Deering, Hegewisch, Riverdale, East Side, Chatham, South Chicago, Pullman, Calumet Heights, Avalon Park, Burnside, South Shore)
Board President Election
In addition to voting for district representatives, all Chicago voters will select the board of education president through a citywide vote, adding a new dimension to the school board election process.
Resources for Voters
Comprehensive voter guides and tools have been made available by WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, Chalkbeat, and Block Club Chicago. These guides provide details on all school board districts, school board candidates, and the school board voting process to help community members make informed decisions.
For more information, prospective voters can access these resources to understand the candidates, district boundaries, and what’s at stake for the future of Chicago public schools.
Source: chicago.suntimes.com.
