Your Daily Guide

Where Chicago’s School Board Elections Stand

As we’ve reminded you (many times), Chicago votes on its first-ever fully elected school board Nov. 3. That includes 20 members plus an at-large president.

Over the weekend, allegations against one presidential frontrunner made headlines.

A misconduct investigation: School board presidential candidate Hilario Dominguez previously faced allegations of “inappropriate language and behavior” with a minor, while at the nonprofit The Resurrection Project. The Chicago Public Schools inspector general has now reopened an investigation into the claims.

• Union support: Formerly a political director for the Chicago Teachers Union, Dominguez is CTU’s pick in the presidential race. CTU says it will continue campaigning for Dominguez, as well as represent him in the open investigation.
• Before this: Dominguez allegedly performed a Nazi salute while working in special education. That complaint was withdrawn, though he doesn’t deny the incident took place.
• ‘Unfounded and unsubstantiated’: Dominguez hit back, citing previous investigations’ findings.

Other presidential nominees: Facing Dominguez are Victor P. Henderson and Jessica Biggs.

• Henderson, an attorney, is also plagued by past allegations. Following a 2008 divorce, Henderson’s ex-wife filed an emergency petition, stating that Henderson beat their son. Another filing said the child claimed Henderson had hit him with a belt. No charges were filed.
• Biggs, formerly principal of Burke Elementary in Washington Park, was fired in 2018 for misrepresenting attendance data and improperly documenting student rides. Until recently, she was banned from working at CPS. Currently, she’s a school board member and backed by the Service Employees International Union.

The rest of the board: Although five seats are uncontested, many candidates are vying for the other 15 seats. Find them here.

• How we got here: Since 2025, Chicago has operated with a hybrid school board, made up of elected officials and mayoral appointments. Before that, the mayor held all control.
• Know your district: Here’s a map of Chicago’s 20 school Board districts.
• Of note: WBEZ’s Sarah Karp told us she’s paying closest attention to races on the North and Northwest Side where some candidates face opposition backed by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools or Common Ground Collective, a billionaire-funded, anti-CTU group.
• And don’t forget: Early voting is already underway.

Roseland Community Hospital to Suspend Labor and Delivery

South Side safety-net hospital Roseland Community Hospital will suspend labor and delivery care at the end of October. That marks the fourth local hospital to close a maternal unit this month. Meanwhile, Cook County’s birth rate is declining. [Crain’s 🎁]

• Across Chicago: Safety-net hospitals are struggling. [City Cast Chicago 💻]
• A bright spot: A birthing center is coming to the South Side. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Pothole Repair ‘Blitz’

The city plans to fill thousands of potholes Saturday for the second weekend in a row. Last Saturday, 5,600 potholes were filled in what the mayor is calling a “repair blitz” ahead of winter.

• Report potholes by calling 311 or using the 311 app or website.

Bronzeville Cultural Zone Revamp

Community leaders say they’ve raised $75 million to invest in nine Bronzeville cultural sites. Among them: Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley House, the Muddy Waters MOJO Museum, the forthcoming National Museum of Gospel Music, and the Bronzeville Trail. [WBEZ]

Another Cyclist Killed

A 33-year-old cyclist was struck and killed in Garfield Park Sunday. That marks, at least, the fifth person killed in Chicago while riding a bike or scooter this year. [Block Club]

• As bike lanes grow in Chicago, safety is not guaranteed. [City Cast Chicago 💻]