The race for Chicago’s first elected school board is underway: Candidates have begun to collect signatures to vie for the 10 seats Chicago voters will decide on in November. Here’s the latest on how the race is shaping up and how others can join in.
Who is Running So Far?
More than a dozen candidates from various backgrounds have filed campaign finance documents since they were allowed to start collecting signatures last month.
In the 10th District along the south lakefront, Grammy-winning artist Che “Rhymefest” Smith and former school principal Adam Parrott-Sheffer are both running.
How Can You Run?
Before June 24, candidates will need to have at least 1,000 signatures from voters in the district they will represent. Other qualifications include:
- Living in the district where running for at least a year
- Being a U.S. citizen
- Registered to vote
- Cannot be a child sex offender
The city’s 10 school board districts. (The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners)
What Else Should You Know?
School board members are not currently paid under state law, something that could dissuade potential candidates who don’t have an extra 25–30 hours a week to volunteer.
The race will be more crowded in two years when all 21 members of the board will be elected. Mayor Brandon Johnson will appoint 11 members this time around.
