Chicago Voters Select First Elected CPS Board President in Tuesday Vote

Chicago voters cast ballots on Tuesday to elect the first president of the city's fully elected Board of Education. The race marks a shift in how the district is led, placing the selection of the top official in the hands of city residents rather than the board members themselves.

Three candidates are vying for the position. They are Hilario Dominguez, Jessica Biggs, and Victor Henderson. The winner will serve as the chair of the board that oversees the Chicago Public Schools system. This is one of the largest school districts in the United States.

The board members hold unpaid volunteer roles. Together, they are responsible for managing a budget of more than $10 billion. The new leadership will address issues such as declining enrollment, financial stability, and student performance in reading and math.

Jessica Biggs is a current school board member. She previously worked as a special education teacher and a principal. The Chicago Federation of Labor has endorsed her campaign.

Victor Henderson is an attorney and a former president of the Chicago Bar Association. He positions himself as the independent choice in the race. He states that his lack of backing from special interest groups allows him to focus on the needs of the district without outside pressure.

Hilario Dominguez is a CPS graduate and a former special education teacher. He previously served as the deputy political director for the Chicago Teachers Union. The union and its political action committee are supporting his bid for the presidency.

The campaign has involved substantial financial support from outside organizations. Nearly $9 million has been spent in the race. Candidates noted that voter awareness remains a challenge despite the high profile of the contest.

Dominguez said he spent part of the day at an endorsement event with former Congressman Luis Gutierrez. He also campaigned in person to reach voters. He expressed concern that some residents did not know an election was taking place.

Biggs spent time greeting voters at an early voting site. She said she feels confident in the message delivered during the campaign. She emphasized the historic nature of voters having a direct voice in school governance.

Henderson spent much of the day making phone calls from his office. He said the role of the president is to facilitate discussion rather than provide all the answers. He described the job as requiring courage and experience to handle the district's complex challenges.

The president is not the only elected official being chosen. Twenty candidates are running for seats across the city's ten school board districts. Some candidates in these seats are running unopposed. The results of these contests will determine the composition of the board that oversees the district's operations and finances.

All three candidates made final appeals to voters on election day. They discussed priorities such as school closings and the quality of school food. The outcome of the presidential race will determine who leads the board in navigating these issues in the coming years.