Chicago Teachers Union Endorses Candidates for Board of Education Elections

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Endorsements by Chicago Teachers Union

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has announced endorsements for 15 candidates out of the 21 seats available on the city’s Board of Education. These endorsements include both mayoral nominees and fresh political faces for the upcoming November election. In six races, four of them uncontested, CTU stated that no candidate aligned with its principles.

CTU’s endorsement list presents a challenge to its objective of retaining a majority on the school board. During the 2024 school board races, CTU-backed candidates secured only four victories in the nine contested races. Despite this, candidates endorsed by CTU benefit from the support of CTU’s 30,000 members, which could be pivotal in these elections.

Several of the endorsed candidates are well-known figures. Leading the group is CTU political director Hilario Dominguez, running for board president and endorsed last month. Four others are vying for the at-large role. CTU has also endorsed seven current board members appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU organizer, as well as two incumbents previously elected with CTU’s support: Ebony DeBerry from District 2A and Jitu Brown from District 5A.

Board Transition and Candidate Challenges

The governing board of Chicago Public Schools is in a transitional phase, with ten elected members and eleven appointees. This November marks the first time all seats will be up for election.

In District 10A, CTU supports nonprofit leader Tameka Walton as a write-in candidate. Walton filed her candidacy along with 50 other hopefuls, yet faced a successful nomination challenge. The Chicago Electoral Board has not yet finalized a decision in Walton’s case, which could leave incumbent Che “Rhymefest” Smith as the only printed name in her district.

Following similar challenges, board appointees Angel Velez from District 9A and Cydney Wallace from District 8B were removed from the ballot. Both were aligned with CTU, and their removal results in uncontested races for their opponents. Further, incumbents like Ellen Rosenfeld in District 4B and Angel Gutierrez in District 8A, neither aligned with CTU, face uncontested runs.

Notably, board member Yesenia Lopez, representing District 7B, did not receive CTU’s endorsement despite her former election with CTU backing. Lopez has drifted away from the union, voting with independent elected members on various issues like charter schools and budgeting.

Union Opposition and Campaign Spending

This election cycle sees CTU clashing again with groups advocating for charter schools and school choice. In 2024, CTU’s political committees spent $4.3 million, the highest expenditure among organizations, according to Chalkbeat analysis. Super PACs for the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center collectively spent $3.5 million.

The union’s political committee determines endorsements after candidate interviews and questionnaire reviews. A majority vote is required by the CTU House of Delegates, consisting of about 700 members, to approve endorsements.

Kathryn Zamarrón, chair of CTU’s legislative committee, emphasized the importance of trusting teachers with the district’s future. Zamarrón stated, “Doctors are acknowledged experts in running hospitals. Thus, educators should similarly lead schools.”

Additional Union Endorsements

On Tuesday, SEIU Illinois State Council also endorsed 13 candidates, including current board appointees and elected incumbents. The SEIU endorsements are a mix of candidates with and without CTU backing. The SEIU Local 73 represents 13,000 CPS support staff, potentially creating a robust mobilizing force.

Slightly strained relations exist between the two unions following a recent turf dispute over district employees. SEIU did not endorse a candidate for board president, but Local 73 President Dian Palmer emphasized ongoing discussions, focusing on their commitment to workers and students.

Endorsed Candidates Overview

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.