From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 50s
Chicago School Board Election
Chicago voters elect first fully elected school board in city history.
In brief
Chicago voters elect first fully elected school board in city history. Chicago voters will elect 20 school board members and a president in November 2026 for the city's first fully elected school board. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Chicago School Board Election
Chicago voters will elect members for the city’s first fully elected school board this fall.
20 Seats Up For Grabs
All 21 seats on the Chicago Board of Education are up for election with 43 candidates plus three write-ins.
Two Votes Per Voter
Each eligible Chicagoan can cast two votes: one for school board district representative and one for school board president.
Early Voting Starts Oct 1
Early voting begins October 1 at Downtown Voting Supersite and Chicago Board of Elections Offices.
20 Electoral Districts
Chicago is divided into 20 electoral districts for school board representation with 1a through 1z.
School Board President
Four candidates are running for school board president with citywide election.
315,000 Students
School board members oversee education for about 315,000 children across more than 600 schools.
Board Powers
Board members make financial decisions, hire a CEO/superintendent, and vote on school closures and academic calendars.
2024 Hybrid Board
Chicago’s school board was partially elected and partially appointed after November 2024 elections.
Term Lengths
Half the board serves four-year terms while the other half serves two-year terms starting in 2028.
2021 Elected Board Bill
The bill creating Chicago’s first fully elected school board passed in 2021.
2024 Partial Election
In 2024, half the board was elected while the other half remained mayoral appointees.
2026 Full Election
Chicago voters will elect all 21 school board members in November 2026.
School Board History
Chicago has appointed school board members since 1995 with a nomination process before that.
At a glance
Chicago voters will elect 20 school board members and a president in November 2026 for the city's first fully elected school board.
