The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has thrown its support behind 15 candidates for the 21 available seats on the city’s Board of Education. The mix includes mayoral appointees and political newcomers ahead of the November election. In the remaining six races, four of which are uncontested, CTU found no candidate aligning with its values. This shorter endorsement list, revealed on Monday, could complicate the union’s effort to maintain a board majority.
CTU political director Hilario Dominguez celebrated filing to run for board president. The impact of CTU’s endorsement remains uncertain. In 2024, only four CTU-backed candidates succeeded in nine contested races. Despite this, those endorsed will gain support from CTU’s 30,000 members, vital for down-ballot races.
Most candidates were anticipated. Hilario Dominguez, the top slate pick, is running for board president and received CTU’s endorsement last month. Apart from him, four others are vying for the at-large role. CTU also supports seven current board members appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU organizer, and two incumbents elected with CTU’s backing: Ebony DeBerry from District 2A and Jitu Brown from District 5A.
The Chicago Public Schools board is in a two-year transition involving 10 elected members and 11 appointees. For the first time, all seats will be contested in November. CTU backs nonprofit leader Tameka Walton as a write-in candidate in District 10A despite her nominating papers facing challenges. If removed, incumbent Che “Rhymefest” Smith would be the sole candidate printed on the ballot there.
Appointed board members Angel Velez and Cydney Wallace, both aligned with CTU, were removed from the ballot after petition challenges. Only their opponents remain, uncontested, in their respective districts. In two other districts, only non-aligned incumbents, Ellen Rosenfeld in District 4B and Angel Gutierrez in District 8A, filed to run.
Sitting board member Yesenia Lopez did not receive CTU’s endorsement, although elected with union support. She has diverged from CTU on issues like charter schools and budgets. CTU expects to face special interest groups backing charter schools and school choice this election cycle.
In 2024, CTU’s political action committees spent more than any group, totaling $4.3 million. In contrast, super PACs for the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center together spent $3.5 million. CTU relies on its political committee to meet with candidates, review questionnaires, and decide endorsements. Then, its House of Delegates votes on approval.
“Nobody questions that doctors should run hospitals,” Kathryn Zamarrón, legislative committee chair, stated. “The doctors, who are experts, should run that organization. So why wouldn’t teachers? Why wouldn’t paraprofessionals?”
On a parallel front, the SEIU Illinois State Council backed 13 candidates, blending current appointees, incumbents, and new faces, some without CTU endorsements. SEIU Local 73, representing 13,000 CPS support staff, could mobilize strongly. Only four candidates received both CTU and SEIU endorsements.
The unions, once allies, have strained relations over a dispute regarding district employees. SEIU did not endorse a board president candidate, but Local 73 President Dian Palmer mentioned ongoing discussions. “We want the best for our workers, and the workers want the best for our students,” Palmer stated.
CTU-Endorsed Candidates:
- Board President: Hilario Dominguez
- District 1A: Ed Bannon
- District 1B: Claudia Peralta
- District 2A: Ebony DeBerry
- District 2B: Deborah “Debby” Pope
- District 3A: Norma Rios-Sierra
- District 3B: Jason Dones
- District 4A: Karen Zaccor
- District 5A: Aaron “Jitu” Brown
- District 5B: Michilla Blaise
- District 6A: Anusha Thotakura
- District 7A: Emma Lozano
- District 9B: Katherine Dunneback
- District 10A: Tameka Walton (write-in candidate)
- District 10B: Connie Anderson
SEIU-Endorsed Candidates:
- District 1A: Ed Bannon*
- District 1B: Claudia Peralta*
- District 2A: Ebony DeBerry*
- District 3A: Norma Rios-Sierra*
- District 3B: Carlos Rivas
- District 4A: Ellen Sherratt
- District 4B: Ellen Rosenfeld
- District 7A: Jesus Ayala, Jr.
- District 7B: Yesenia Lopez
- District 8A: Angel Gutierrez
- District 9A: Brittany Preston
- District 9B: Therese Boyle
- District 10A: Che “Rhymefest” Smith
- *Candidates endorsed by both CTU and SEIU