Chicago School Board Election: Meet the Candidates for President

A Historic Election for Chicago

Chicago will hold a historic election where all 21 school board seats are up for grabs. Previously, the board had seven members appointed by the mayor. It is now transitioning to include both elected and appointed members. Let’s take a look at the candidates running for the position of school board president.

Jessica Biggs

Jessica Biggs, who represents parts of downtown and the South Side, is running for president of the Chicago Board of Education. She is known for her work with the Southwest Organizing Project and as a former principal in the Chicago Public Schools.

Biggs has stated her main goal is to stabilize the district’s finances and ensure effective collaboration among board members. She believes in refocusing the board’s attention on teaching, learning, and school improvement.

Jennifer Custer

Jennifer Custer, representing parts of the Northwest Side, is another candidate for school board president. Elected with the support of the Chicago Teachers Union, she has taken stances that often diverge from the union.

Custer emphasizes the importance of learning from past experiences to guide the board toward future success.

Hilario Domínguez

Hilario Domínguez, the political director of the Chicago Teachers Union, is among the contenders. His background includes being a special education teacher, and he has played a significant role in the union’s activities, notably during Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign.

Domínguez intends to safeguard Chicago Public Schools from budget cuts and advocate for more funding at the state level.

Victor Henderson

Victor Henderson is a trial attorney with a history on the board of Urban Prep Academies. He brings his experience from dealing with complex challenges within the charter school network to his candidacy.

Henderson argues for reducing political influences within the system and advancing educational priorities.

Sendhil Revuluri

Sendhil Revuluri, a former vice president of the Chicago Board of Education, is also in the race. He seeks to return to the board and foster a unified focus on student learning and opportunity.

He advocates for a collective commitment to providing Chicago’s children with the best possible education and future choices.