Chicago's First Fully Elected School Board Takes Shape, With Jessica Biggs Set to Lead It
Chicago voters in Cook County, Illinois, made history on November 3, casting ballots for all 21 members of the city's Board of Education and ending 30 years of mayoral control of the city's schools, with results confirmed through November 4. Jessica Biggs, a current school board member and former Chicago Public Schools principal, was set to be elected board president after a three-way competition against Chicago Teachers Union organizer Hilario Dominguez and attorney Victor Henderson.
Based on preliminary results, union-backed candidates were projected to control 10 seats, down from their current 14 and short of a majority. The election drew more than $10 million in campaign money as special interest groups lined up behind favored candidates. On the North Side, incumbent Ebony DeBerry held her seat in District 2A, Debby Pope won District 2B, and Karen Zaccor won District 4A.
The new board's makeup will shift the power dynamics in Chicago Public Schools. Analysts note that while the union lost its majority, nearly half the new board is still union-backed, and fights over budgets, school closures and labor negotiations lie ahead. The Chicago Board of Elections says counting continues and final results await official certification.
(Source: Chalkbeat)
Source: Chalkbeat
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：芝加哥市政厅。ajay_suresh 摄，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。GSM 城市固定图库。 / Photo: Chicago City Hall. By ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. GSM city asset library.
