Chicago Board of Education Candidates Debated
Three candidates discussed the future of Chicago schools at a public forum.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Administration
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Three candidates for Chicago Board of Education president participated in a public forum to outline their visions for the school district. This election marks the first time residents will select a school board president, ending a 30-year period of mayoral appointments.
Why it matters
The incoming president must navigate significant challenges, including a $730 million budget deficit and declining enrollment. The winner will be responsible for negotiating with city and state leaders to address these financial and pension issues.
Chicago Public Schools faces a $730 million budget deficit that the new board president will need to address. The three candidates seeking the office include a former principal, an attorney, and a former teacher.
The players
Jessica Biggs
She is a candidate for the school board who previously served as a Chicago Public Schools teacher and principal.
Victor Henderson
He is a candidate for the school board who works as an attorney and former accountant.
Hilario Dominguez
He is a candidate for the school board endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union and is a former special education teacher.
Chicago Teachers Union
This organization is the labor representative for teachers and has formally endorsed Hilario Dominguez.
The details
Jessica Biggs, Victor Henderson, and Hilario Dominguez participated in the forum to solicit votes from Chicago residents. The contest follows an investigation into Hilario Dominguez regarding an allegation of inappropriate conduct from 2017, which the district inspector general recently reopened.
Timeline
The alleged incident involving Hilario Dominguez occurred in 2017.
Candidates participated in a public forum on October 6, 2026.
The newly elected school board president takes office in January 2027.
Culture Shift
This election represents a departure from the 30-year history of mayoral school board appointments in Chicago. The transition to a voter-led process signals a shift in how the district develops its relationship with city hall and the city council.
Residents will participate in the first-ever direct election of their school board president, influencing the future management of the district. This change impacts how voters prioritize district spending and address the $730 million budget deficit.
The takeaway
Voters now hold the responsibility of choosing leadership to manage the district budget and long-term financial stability. Residents should review candidate platforms to understand how each plans to address the current $730 million deficit.
What happens next
The elected board president will officially take office in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local governance in our Chicago Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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