Chicago School Board Races Split Over Funding and Charter Schools
Candidates in multiple Chicago Board of Education districts are clashing over school choice, fiscal responsibility, and the role of the Chicago Teachers Union.
Multiple races for the Chicago Board of Education are unfolding across the city, defined by a sharp divide between supporters of neighborhood schools and advocates for school choice. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is backing a slate of incumbents, including Aaron “Jitu” Brown in District 5a, Norma Rios Sierra in District 3a, Emma Lozano in District 7a, Karen Zaccor in District 4a, and Debby Pope in District 2b. These candidates generally advocate for increased state funding, progressive revenue sources like a billionaires tax, and the Sustainable Community Schools model.
Opposing these incumbents are challengers supported by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, the Common Ground Collective, and The Urban Center. In District 4a, Ellen Sherratt has received over $600,000 in PAC spending to challenge Karen Zaccor, focusing on internal fiscal responsibility over state lobbying. Similarly, Kyna Lenhof in District 2b is campaigning to reduce the district's reliance on high-interest loans, while Jesus Ayala Jr. in District 7a argues against using unsecured state funds in the school budget.
Regional disputes further complicate the narrative. On the Southwest Side, candidates in Districts 7a and 7b agree on protecting immigrant families but disagree on budget strategies and the effectiveness of community school models. In District 5a, the race between Aaron “Jitu” Brown and LaPamela Williams centers on the expansion of charter schools and the development of vocational trade pipelines.
