Michael Sacks Donated Millions to School Board PAC
The contribution aims to support candidates running against Chicago Teachers Union-backed school board contenders.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Administration
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Michael Sacks has contributed over $2 million to the Common Ground Collective, a political action committee focused on electing school board candidates. The group intends to change the current majority of the Chicago Board of Education to ensure independence from the Chicago Teachers Union.
Why it matters
Donors like Sacks are aiming to shift the board's policy direction following the approval of a $13 billion teachers contract. This financial push seeks to alter the board's composition in a way that opposes the union's endorsed candidates.
Michael Sacks provided over $2 million to the Common Ground Collective, which has endorsed board member Carlos Rivas. The Board of Education recently finalized a $13 billion teachers contract.
The players
Michael Sacks
He is a prominent donor who contributed more than $2 million to the Common Ground Collective.
Carlos Rivas
He is a current member of the Board of Education and a candidate endorsed by the Common Ground Collective.
Jason Dónes
He is a school board candidate who has received endorsements from various elected officials.
Common Ground Collective
This political organization supports school board candidates who oppose Chicago Teachers Union endorsements.
The details
Common Ground Collective is actively supporting candidates such as Carlos Rivas to challenge those favored by the Chicago Teachers Union. This effort comes as donors look to influence the future makeup of the Chicago Board of Education, which oversees the city's massive public school budget.
Timeline
The Board of Education approved a $13 billion contract for the 2024-2026 period.
Early voting begins October 2, 2026, at the downtown Super Site.
Early voting opens across all 50 Chicago wards on October 19, 2026.
Culture Shift
This race follows the ratification of the Chicago Board of Education's $13 billion teachers contract. The surge in private spending marks a transition toward a more contested board election environment.
Residents in districts like Humboldt Park will see increased political activity and mailers as candidates compete for board seats. The election results will directly influence future negotiations involving the $13 billion teachers contract and classroom policies.
The takeaway
The heavy financial investment in this board election highlights a broader effort to shift oversight of Chicago's public school funding. Voters should review candidate platforms carefully to understand how these competing financial interests might affect school operations.
What happens next
Early voting is scheduled to begin at the downtown Super Site on October 2, 2026, followed by citywide early voting in all 50 wards on October 19, 2026.
Further reading
Find more context on current Administration developments within the local school district.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC7 Chicago.
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