Parents question political group at school event

CPS parents raised concerns about why the Common Ground Collective had a table at Peirce Elementary's back-to-school fair with election fliers.

“The return-to-school celebration is, I think, supposed to be about the kids and about meeting the teachers, not about promoting a particular political agenda”

Common Ground Collective claims social welfare role

The Common Ground Collective said it staffed a table and paid for the DJ at the Aug. 20 fair through its nonprofit, separate from its political arms.

“The organization, which has a nonprofit and two political arms, said it was there in a social welfare capacity”

Parents report electioneering at school event

Parents said the Common Ground Collective handed out fliers in English and Spanish about the school board election at the Peirce Elementary back-to-school fair.

CPS prohibits political campaigning on school grounds

CPS strictly prohibits political campaigning on school grounds and is investigating the Peirce Elementary event.

Common Ground Collective's political spending

Common Ground Collective's political groups have donated $31,000 directly to school board candidates and spent $944,000 on digital ads.

Common Ground Collective endorses opponent

Common Ground Collective endorsed Kyna Lenhof, the treasurer of the 40th Ward Democratic Organization, and contributed $4,000 directly to her campaign.

School board member under fire

School board member Ellen Rosenfeld faces criticism after her husband is listed as a board member of the Common Ground Collective's nonprofit.

Local School Council demands action

Peirce LSC members asked CPS to reinforce ethical expectations for political organizations using school grounds for candidate advocacy.

Common Ground Collective's social welfare claims

Common Ground Collective claims it provides backpacks, school supplies, and sponsors school events for students.

School board member defends actions

Rosenfeld says her husband has never been on the board and that the endorsements weren't on the website during the back-to-school fair.

Common Ground Collective's funding source

Common Ground Collective is heavily funded by billionaire Michael Sacks, a former adviser to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

CPS ethics office investigation

CPS ethics office is investigating Common Ground Collective's activities at Peirce Elementary's back-to-school fair.

School board race context

Chicago school board elections are happening on Nov. 3 with 21 members up for election.

Common Ground Collective's tax filing

Common Ground Collective's nonprofit reported $2.1 million in assets but does not disclose donors.

School board member's social media post

School board member Michilla Blaise posted a video of students dancing and welcoming her to school, which she later took down.

“Blaise says the video showed students dancing and welcoming her to a school. She promptly took it down out of concerns for student privacy, but she says she posted it because she thought “it was so cute,” not as part of her campaign”

CPS guidance on electioneering

CPS recently issued guidance to principals and Local School Councils about electioneering rules.