WTTW News hopes you had a good weekend. As the mayor is set to appoint an entirely new CPS school board this morning, we explain the upcoming Board of Education elections, which are the first in Chicago's history. Let us know what you think about this newsletter by emailing us at [email protected].
A Chicago Public Schools sign. (WTTW News)
After decades under full mayoral control, Chicago residents this fall will get their first crack at picking members of the city’s Board of Education. Voters in the Nov. 5 election will pick a member to represent each of 10 new districts as the board triples in size from its current size of seven up to 21 members beginning in January 2025. On Friday, news that all seven board members are expected to resign amid an ongoing feud between the mayor and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez rocked the community. This
morning, Mayor Brandon Johnson is slated to announce seven new board members. WTTW News reporter Matt Masterson has answers to every question you might have about the election.
An elected school board?
Following a yearslong push by advocates, Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021 signed legislation to begin transforming Chicago’s Board of Education from a mayoral-appointed body — the only such school board in Illinois — to an elected body starting in 2024. The entire board will be fully elected beginning in 2027.
New districts?
The city has been divided into 10 separate districts for the expanded board. District 1 tackles the Far Northwest Side including Jefferson Park, Portage Park and portions of Irving Park, while District 10 covers Hyde Park, Chatham, South Shore and the Far South Side. Click here for the full
list.
Who's running?
A full list of all candidates, who if elected will serve without pay, can be found here.
When can I vote?
Now! Election Day is Nov. 5, but early voting in Chicago began Thursday at the downtown Supersite (191 N. Clark St.) and at the Chicago Board of Elections offices (69 W. Washington St.). Early voting in all 50 wards across the city begins Oct. 21.
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Former House Speaker Michael Madigan exits the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2024. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, along with his longtime confidant and current co-defendant Michael McClain, is finally set to go to trial this week, more than two and a half years after the men were first charged in a bombshell federal indictment that accused them of racketeering, bribery and wire fraud. Arguably the most powerful politician in Illinois history, Madigan served as House speaker for 36 years. If found guilty, he could face several years in prison. Some backstory on the trial:
Madigan is alleged to have orchestrated multiple corruption schemes, wielding his political power to reward loyal allies and enrich himself.
Prosecutors argue these various schemes “occurred in parallel” and frequently overlapped with one another, as Madigan and McClain were sometimes recorded on government wiretaps discussing multiple conspiracies over the course of single conversations.
Delays plaguing trial:
Madigan and McClain were initially set to go to trial back in April, but in January, Judge John Blakey pushed the start date to October as they awaited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a separate bribery case.
Read our breakdown of the allegations facing Madigan, including the “ComEd four,” AT&T allegations and accusations of offering to help disgraced former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis secure a position on a state board in exchange for Solis referring legal business to Madigan’s law firm.
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Inside Pilsen antique shop El Anticuario. (WTTW News)
"Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices" profiled a "magical" antique shop in Pilsen that's become a neighborhood institution. El Anticuario, 1425 W. 18th St., boasts quirky vintage items, gadgets and a collection of Latin American books, statues and artifacts. Owner Francisco Orozco's passion for collecting began when he was just a kid in Mexico. “I like to swim, and I found a little piece of metal under the water…,” Orozco said. “It was a very interesting piece, and since then I started.” For hours and more info, check out the store’s Instagram account.
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Back in the Day: October 7, 1984 - Walter Payton Breaks NFL Rushing Record
When the iconic running back Jim Brown rushed for 12,312 yards in his nine-year career, it was the all-time NFL record. That held for almost 20 following his 1966 retirement until one man named Walter Payton broke it. On this day 40 years ago, Payton, in his 10th season, ran for 154 yards in the Bears' 20-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints, finishing the day with 12,400 total career rushing yards. After the game, Payton received a call from President Ronald Reagan, who congratulated him from aboard
Air Force One. It was an election year, and Reagan was flying to Louisville for a debate with Walter Mondale. Payton retired after the 1987 season, having run for 16,726 yards, which was the NFL's rushing record for 18 years until Emmitt Smith broke it. Twenty-two years later, no active running back is close to breaking either number.
Get Involved With This Week's Civic Meetings and Events
Chicago City Hall. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
Every Monday, we bring you a week’s worth of public meetings, civic happenings and other ways to stay connected to your community. Chicago City Council The City Council has numerous committee meetings this week ahead of a full meeting on Wednesday. The City Clerk’s office has a list of times and room locations. Here’s some highlights: On Tuesday at 10 a.m., the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards will consider landmark designations for Jackson Storage and Van Company Warehouse, 3609-3611 W. Cermak Road, and Mars Candy Factory, 2019 N. Oak Park Ave. The full City Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. You can attend in person at City Hall or watch online.
Chicago Park District The Chicago Park District’s Board of Commissioners holds their regular meeting Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Horner Park, 2741 W Montrose Ave. Among the items on the agenda are presentations on the Park District’s youth hiring initiative and the 2023 annual comprehensive financial report. More information on the agenda and meeting videos can be found here. CTA
The Chicago Transit Board will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the second floor board room at 567 West Lake St. Meetings are also streamed on YouTube. Cook County Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle is set to detail her executive budget to the Board of Commissioners at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Cook County Building board room, 118 N. Clark St. Meetings are streamed live on the county’s website.
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The latest on Mayor Brandon Johnson's new appointees to the Board of Education.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
