Chicago Board of Education

The Chicago Board of Education approves Chicago Public Schools’ operating budget, sets district direction and priorities, approves the academic calendar and signs off on capital improvements. The board is also tasked with hiring the district’s CEO. This election, city voters will for the first time be choosing their representatives on the board. The members will come from 10 geographic districts as the board shifts from being appointed by the mayor to elected by residents. As part of that transition, a hybrid board featuring these 10 newly elected members plus members appointed by the mayor will expand the Board of Education to 21 beginning in January 2025. It’s a lot of change, and we’ve got even more details about the transition in this explainer.

Candidates

1st District

Jennifer Custer

I want my children and all Chicago children to have a superior education.

Michelle N. Pierre

I am running for the Chicago Board of Education because I believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities.

2nd District

Ebony L. DeBerry

As an education organizer, I’ve grown parent mentor programs from one school to eight.

Margaret "Maggie" Cullerton Hooper

I am a woman with disabilities, I have a child with disabilities, and I work as a volunteer advocate for families of children with disabilities across CPS

Kate Doyle

I am running because we need a progressive and independent voice advocating for our students.

Bruce Leon

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

3rd District

Carlos A. Rivas Jr.

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

Jason C. Dones

I’m committed to our neighborhood schools and the idea of a community-led education movement.

4th District

Karen Zaccor

I am the only candidate in this district who has been a full-time CPS teacher in the last 15 years.

Ellen Rosenfeld

As a devoted mother of four CPS students, my entire adult career has been dedicated to advocating for our students, families and teachers.

Kimberly Brown

I have the experience and empathy to lead and transform Chicago Public Schools to be the foundation of our city's success.

Thomas Day

To deal with these challenges, we must turn away from divisive politics, special interests, and power-seekers control our government and schools.

Carmen Gioiosa

I am running for Chicago’s Board of Education because I have an INDEPENDENT voice.

Andrew A. Davis

I have extensive experience in the financing of education and am a proven education problem solver.

5th District

Aaron "Jitu" Brown

I am running to collaborate with community to win equity, investment, and a community voice in our public school system.

Michilla "Kyla" Blaise

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

6th District

Jessica Biggs

I choose to become a teacher and then a school leader in large part because of the inequalities I saw in my community and the world.

Anusha Thotakura

I believe in the transformative power of public education and the urgent need for responsible leadership.

Andre Smith

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

7th District

Yesenia Lopez

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

Eva A. Villalobos

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

Raquel Don

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

8th District

Angel Gutierrez

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

Felix Ponce

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

9th District

Therese Boyle

Did not participate in the 2024 voter guide.

Lanetta M. Thomas

I am passionate about advocating for equitable education, ensuring that every child has access to quality learning experiences regardless of their background.