Chicago Will Elect School Board President in November 2026
Voters will choose a citywide board president to lead 626 schools and 304,000 students for the first time.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Administration
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In November 2026, Chicago residents will participate in a historic election to select a school board president. This transition replaces the previous system where the mayor appointed the leadership for the city's 304,000 students.
Why it matters
The new structure moves control of the 21-member board from mayoral appointment to public accountability, fundamentally shifting how the district's agenda is set. This change affects oversight for 626 schools across the city.
The elected president will lead a 21-member board overseeing 626 schools and 304,000 students, supported by $150 million in additional budgeted state funding.
The players
Chicago Board of Education
The governing body currently overseeing 626 schools and 304,000 students in the city.
Sean Harden
The board president appointed in December 2024 who served prior to the upcoming election.
Jessica Biggs
A candidate running for the citywide position of school board president.
Hilario Dominguez
A candidate running for the citywide position of school board president.
Victor Henderson
A candidate running for the citywide position of school board president.
The details
The board president establishes the legislative agenda for the entire body, which governs the district's operations. Beyond the citywide presidential seat, voters will also cast ballots for 20 district-specific board positions. Candidates Jessica Biggs, Hilario Dominguez, and Victor Henderson are currently campaigning for this new citywide role.
Timeline
December 2024: Sean Harden was appointed as the board president under the previous system.
November 2026: Residents will cast their votes for the new school board president.
The Home Front
This election marks a definitive departure from the prior mayoral appointment model for the Chicago Board of Education. The shift represents a significant change in local governance, moving oversight from a centralized office to a public electoral process.
Chicago families should monitor how the transition in leadership may impact local school priorities and the allocation of the $150 million in new state funding. Consider researching the platforms of Jessica Biggs, Hilario Dominguez, and Victor Henderson before the November 2026 election.
The takeaway
The transition to an elected board provides families with a direct voice in shaping the future of the district's 626 schools. Residents should mark their calendars for November 2026 and prepare to review the candidates' specific plans for the $150 million in additional state funding.
What happens next
Chicago voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to select the new school board president alongside 20 district-specific representatives.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolution of local governance at Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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Do you prefer that voters elect the Chicago school board president instead of mayoral appointment?
