So, Chicago finally did it. After decades of mayoral control—basically since 1995—we actually got to vote for the people running our schools. It was a huge deal. You’ve probably heard the hype, but honestly, the actual Chicago school board election results from November 2024 were a bit of a mixed bag that left almost everyone feeling "sorta" successful and "sorta" defeated at the same time.
It wasn't a total sweep for anyone.
For a long time, the narrative was that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) would just steamroll the whole thing. I mean, they have the ground game and the money, right? But the reality was way more nuanced. Out of the 10 seats that were actually up for grabs in this first "hybrid" phase, the CTU-backed candidates didn't just walk away with the keys to the kingdom.
The Breakdown: Who Actually Won?
If you look at the raw numbers, the results split the 10 elected seats across different ideologies. It’s kinda fascinating because the city ended up with a board that looks like a patchwork quilt of Chicago’s political tensions.
- CTU-Backed Winners: They managed to clinch four seats. Jennifer Custer took District 1 on the Northwest Side in a tight race against Michelle Pierre. Ebony DeBerry, a former teacher and organizer, won a crowded four-way race in District 2 (think Rogers Park and Edgewater). Aaron "Jitu" Brown basically coasted in District 5 because he ran unopposed, and Yesenia Lopez won District 7.
- The Charter/Choice Crowd: These folks, often backed by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) or the Urban Center, took three seats. Carlos Rivas Jr. won District 3, Ellen Rosenfeld took District 4, and Angel Gutierrez won big in District 8 with over 60% of the vote.
- The "Independents": This is where it gets interesting. Three winners didn't have the "big" endorsements from either the CTU or the charter groups. Jessica Biggs won District 6, Therese Boyle (a retired school psychologist) took District 9, and the most famous name on the list, Che "Rhymefest" Smith, won District 10.
Why the "Big Money" Didn't Always Buy the Seat
One thing that really stands out is how much money was lit on fire. The CTU and its affiliates reportedly spent over $2.8 million on these races. But here’s the kicker: about 75% of that money went to candidates who actually lost.
Take District 10, for example. The CTU dumped over $500,000 to support the Rev. Robert Jones. He came in third. Che Smith, who basically ran on a platform of being a local dad and artist who actually lives in the community, beat out both the union-backed candidate and the charter-backed candidate.
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It turns out Chicagoans might be a bit tired of the "proxy war" between the union and the pro-charter billionaires. You’ve got voters who want well-funded neighborhood schools but are also kind of wary of giving one organization total control over the $10 billion CPS budget.
The Elephant in the Room: The Hybrid Board
Don't forget that these 10 people aren't the whole board. Not yet.
Right now, in early 2026, we are in the "hybrid" era. Mayor Brandon Johnson still got to appoint 11 members, including the Board President, Sean Harden. This gives the Mayor a thin but functional majority. It’s a 21-member board, which is—frankly—huge. It’s the largest school board in the country.
Some people think it’s too big to be effective. "Basically a mini-city council," is what one critic called it. And they might have a point. Trying to get 21 people to agree on a new CEO or a massive contract with the teachers is like herding cats.
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What This Means for Your Local School
If you’re a parent or just someone who pays property taxes in the city, the Chicago school board election results are already changing the vibe.
- The CEO Shakeup: We already saw the board fire CEO Pedro Martinez. That was a direct result of the political shift. The new board is looking for someone who aligns more with a "neighborhood schools first" philosophy rather than the "choice and competition" model of the past.
- The Fiscal Cliff: The federal COVID relief money is gone. Poof. The board is staring down a massive deficit. The elected members are now under pressure from their specific districts to make sure their schools don't get the axe when the budget cuts inevitably come.
- The Selective Enrollment Scare: There’s been a ton of talk about whether the board will move away from "selective enrollment" schools like Whitney Young or Lane Tech. While the board passed a resolution to prioritize neighborhood schools, the mixed election results suggest there’s a lot of pushback from parents who love those schools.
What’s Next for Chicago Voters?
This was just the warm-up act.
In November 2026, the training wheels come off. The entire 21-member board will be up for election. The Mayor loses his appointment power. That is going to be a political circus unlike anything we’ve seen in a while.
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If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should actually do:
- Find your sub-district: The current 10 districts will be split into 20 for the 2026 vote. Check the CPS Board website to see exactly who represents you right now.
- Watch the budget hearings: This is where the real power is. The elected members have to show their constituents they are fighting for their specific neighborhood's share of the pie.
- Track the "Independent" block: Keep an eye on Biggs, Boyle, and Smith. They often hold the "swing" votes on the board. How they vote on the next teachers' contract will tell you everything you need to know about where the power really lies.
The 2024 results proved that Chicagoans aren't just rubber stamps for the Mayor or the Union. They want nuance. They want someone who actually knows where the leaky roof is in the local elementary school. As we head toward a fully elected board, that local focus is only going to get more intense.