Polls open: Chicago Public Schools Board of Education race begins

September 30, 2024

Polling from the Illinois Policy Institute found the Chicago Teachers Union has an approval rating of just 36%

PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

Polls open: Chicago Public Schools Board of Education race begins 
 Polling from the Illinois Policy Institute found the Chicago Teachers Union has an approval rating of just 36% 

CHICAGO (Sept. 30, 2024) – Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 3 in Chicago for the upcoming Nov. 5 general election, which includes electing a candidate for one of 10 districts for the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education for the first time.

The Chicago Teachers Union has endorsed 10 school board candidates and given campaign donations to nine. Ten candidates across various school board districts have pledged to never accept CTU money.

An August poll conducted by M3 Strategies commissioned by the Illinois Policy Institute found just 36% of likely Chicago voters have a favorable opinion of the Chicago Teachers Union, compared to 46% with an unfavorable opinion. The poll also found Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates is not well liked, with just 17% of likely voters holding a favorable opinion of Gates, 36% with no opinion, and 39% with an unfavorable opinion. The remaining 7% of likely voters said they had never heard of her.

“For the first time, Chicagoans have a chance to vote on radical CTU leadership. The city is facing a battle over its future: follow CTU’s path into increased spending and worsening student outcomes, or say no to an extreme political agenda,” said Mailee Smith senior director of labor policy at the Illinois Policy Institute.

What to know about the CPS school board race: 

  • The CTU has so far spent over $175,000 so far on the races, but budget documents show they plan to spend as much as $1 million across the 10 school board districts.
  • The union has been a long-time supporter of a 21-member fully elected public school board, but recently changed their preference to a phased-in approach. In 2024, there will be ten elected school members and 11 school board members who are appointed by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former union employee. In 2026, all members will be elected.
  • Part of CTU’s agenda for the school board includes moving away from selective enrollment and magnet schools and investing more into local community schools, which cost more money to fund but have worse academic outcomes.
  • The school board will negotiate future collective bargaining agreements with CTU, who’s current list of contract demands tops $50 billion over five years.
  • CPS currently has the lowest credit rating of a school district. CTU has been trying to oust current CPS CEO Pedro Martinez over a disagreement on funding the schools and the teachers contract.

“The CTU has grown increasingly unpopular, and its leaders are desperate to pad their ranks with allies in advance of key conversations about the district, union and taxpayers’ money. Voters get to decide if they want CTU to officially take over the school board and decisions about the district and city at large,” Smith said.

To learn more about the school board candidates, visit illin.is/CPScandidates.


For interviews or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.