Chicago Candidates Debated Future of School Board
Three hopefuls discussed the $730 million budget deficit ahead of the city's first elected school board president vote.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Do you support shifting from mayoral appointments to elected positions for local school board leadership?
Three candidates for Chicago Board of Education president met in a public forum to outline their plans for the district. Chicago voters are set to elect a board president for the first time after 30 years of mayoral appointments.
Why it matters
The new president will face the immediate challenge of navigating a $730 million budget deficit while managing declining enrollment. Voters are choosing a leader who will define the school board's new relationship with city hall.
The school board oversees the district's $730 million deficit, a major shift from the past 30 years of mayoral appointments. Three candidates are competing for the seat that formally begins in January 2027.
The players
Jessica Biggs
A candidate for Chicago Board of Education president who previously served as a Chicago Public Schools teacher and principal.
Victor Henderson
A candidate for the school board presidency who is an attorney and former accountant.
Hilario Dominguez
A candidate for the school board presidency, endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, and a former Chicago Public Schools special education teacher.
The details
The elected president will be tasked with negotiating alongside city and state leaders to address long-term pension and budget constraints. Candidates include former teacher Jessica Biggs, attorney Victor Henderson, and Hilario Dominguez, a former special education teacher endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union. The school board is currently managing an inspector general investigation reopened regarding an allegation of inappropriate conduct against Hilario Dominguez from 2017.
Timeline
2017: Date of the alleged incident involving Hilario Dominguez.
October 6, 2026: Candidates participated in a public forum.
January 2027: The elected president takes office.
The Home Front
This election marks a historic departure from the 30-year practice of mayoral appointments for the school board. The transition signifies a new governance structure for Chicago Public Schools as the city moves toward a fully elected board.
Chicago families should track the candidates' platforms regarding how they plan to manage the district's budget deficit in the coming school years. Keep an eye on the January 2027 start date for the new board president to understand how district leadership will change.
The takeaway
The upcoming election will fundamentally shift how Chicago manages its public school district finances and administrative priorities. Residents should review candidate proposals for the $730 million budget deficit to understand the potential impact on local school services.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming leadership transition in Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
Live Poll
Do you support shifting from mayoral appointments to elected positions for local school board leadership?
