# Yesenia Lopez wins Chicago School Board District 7b

> Yesenia Lopez holds District 7b seat after defeating Erika Diaz-Chavez in Chicago School Board election.
- Title: Yesenia Lopez wins Chicago School Board District 7b | Shortify
- Summary: Yesenia Lopez holds District 7b seat after defeating Erika Diaz-Chavez in Chicago School Board election. Yesenia Lopez retains District 7b seat in Chicago…
- Keywords: yesenia lopez, district 7b, chicago school board, chicago teachers union, erika diaz-chavez, cps, school board election, Chicago Sun-Times
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/11/03/chicago-school-board-district-7b-results
- Published: 2026-11-04T06:18:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: yesenia lopez, district 7b, chicago school board, chicago teachers union, erika diaz-chavez, cps, school board election, news, local
## Election result
Yesenia Lopez retained District 7b seat in Chicago School Board election with 69% of votes as of early Wednesday morning.
## Challenger
Erika Diaz-Chavez, a Chicago Park District project manager who attended private schools, challenged Lopez.
## Campaign funding
Diaz-Chavez received major donations from Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center.
## Lopez's support
Lopez had backing from Service Employees International Union Illinois State Council and Our Schools Chicago.
## District 7b schools
District 7b includes 34 schools with 13% ranking in top 10% of Illinois schools.
## School performance
73% of schools received 'commendable' designation while 13% were 'targeted' for improvement.
## Student demographics
84% of students come from low-income families with half being English learners.
## Special education
Both candidates pledged to increase special education resources for student needs.
## Immigrant families
Both candidates committed to protecting immigrant families amid increased city immigration enforcement.
## Sustainable Community Schools
Lopez supports Sustainable Community Schools program while Diaz-Chavez wants to evaluate it first.
## Diaz-Chavez statement
Diaz-Chavez expressed pride in campaign and commitment to children, families, and community.
## Lopez's background
Lopez first elected to school board in 2024 representing Southwest Side neighborhoods.
## Key takeaway

Yesenia Lopez retains District 7b seat in Chicago School Board election despite losing Chicago Teachers Union endorsement.