Candidates Vie for Chicago District 3A School Board
Residents in Northwest Side neighborhoods will select a board representative on November 3.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should your local district raise property tax levies to fund public school programs?
Pete Gonzales and incumbent Norma Rios Sierra are running to represent District 3A on the Chicago school board. The election on November 3 will decide leadership for 20 schools across areas including Albany Park, Avondale, and Logan Square.
Why it matters
The board oversees critical budgetary decisions, such as the $150 million in state funding allocated during summer 2026 to prevent spending freezes and staff layoffs. This election determines how those resources and policies are directed at the neighborhood level.
District 3A serves 20 neighborhood, charter, and citywide schools with a population that is 58% Hispanic. The board recently approved $150 million in additional state funding to stabilize the district budget.
The players
Pete Gonzales
A legal adviser for the Illinois Secretary of State running for a seat on the Chicago school board.
Norma Rios Sierra
A Chicago Park District special projects manager appointed to the board by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2024.
Chicago Board of Education
The local entity responsible for managing school policy, budget allocations, and district operations.
The details
The race centers on the governance of 20 schools serving a diverse Northwest Side population. The board recently utilized $150 million in state funding to reverse planned layoffs and avoid a spending freeze, a move that candidates will influence through their oversight of future resource allocation.
Timeline
2024: Norma Rios Sierra was appointed to the school board.
Summer 2026: The Chicago Board of Education budgeted $150 million in state funds.
November 3, 2026: Residents cast their votes for the District 3A seat.
The Home Front
This election follows the broader transition toward an elected board model intended to increase local accountability for school budget decisions. It represents a pivot point for neighborhood oversight of institutional funding and policy.
Residents should review their specific voting location and the candidate platforms for District 3A before heading to the polls. Families with students in these 20 schools can monitor upcoming board meetings to see how the $150 million in state funding affects their local school budget.
The takeaway
The outcome of this race will shape how the board manages its state funding and educational priorities for neighborhood schools. Voters should verify their district map and polling place to ensure they are prepared to participate in the November 3 election.
Further reading
Learn more about the Administration of our local schools to see how board policies impact daily operations.
Live Poll
Should your local district raise property tax levies to fund public school programs?
