Chicagoans made history Tuesday as they cast their ballots for all 21 members of the city’s school board for the first time.
The showdown for the school board was the marquee race on the ballot, with Gov. JB Pritzker easily winning a third term and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton securing retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.
Many had their eye on the citywide race for school board president — a powerful position that sets the board’s agenda and, until now, has never been elected. Sitting school board member Jessica Biggs won that race, besting her two opponents, the Chicago Teachers Union-backed Hilario Dominguez and prominent defense attorney Victor Henderson.
Political action committees and individuals funneled more than $5.2 million into that heated three-way race.
The balance of power on the school board could be a harbinger of February’s mayoral race. Mayor Brandon Johnson, a close ally of the CTU, is running for reelection and appointed the majority of current school board members. As of Wednesday morning, candidates backed by the CTU had won seven of the 20 district races and were leading in three races that were too close to call. If the union secures a 10-member bloc, that would be enough to throw a wrench in the leadership of president-elect Biggs, who is not aligned with the CTU.
To find get the latest on the results, click on the races below:
