Chicago Voters Will Elect School Board President in 2026
The city will transition to an elected leadership structure for its school board in the November 2026 election.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Administration
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Chicago residents will head to the polls in November 2026 to choose a school board president for the first time. This new citywide position replaces a role previously filled by mayoral appointment.
Why it matters
The shift to an elected board president marks a significant change in how Chicago manages its educational policies and sets priorities. This move aims to increase public oversight of the 21-member body that governs the district's schools.
The school board oversees 626 schools and 304,000 students across Chicago. Candidates Jessica Biggs, Hilario Dominguez, and Victor Henderson are vying for the seat.
The players
Jessica Biggs
She is one of the three candidates running for the first elected citywide school board president position.
Hilario Dominguez
He is a candidate for the citywide school board president position in the upcoming election.
Victor Henderson
He is running for the position of school board president in Chicago.
Sean Harden
He served as the Chicago Board of Education president following his appointment in December 2024.
The details
The elected president will set the agenda for a 21-member Board of Education, which also manages $150 million in additional state funding. The new structure replaces the system used when Sean Harden was appointed board president in December 2024.
Timeline
Sean Harden was appointed as board president in December 2024.
Voters will elect the new school board president in November 2026.
Culture Shift
The move toward a fully elected board mirrors broader democratic shifts in major urban districts that have moved away from centralized mayoral control of schools. This transition fundamentally alters the power dynamic between city hall and the local school administration.
Residents will now have a direct vote in selecting the leader who sets the agenda for the city's 626 schools. This change empowers voters to hold the 21-member board accountable for its oversight of 304,000 students.
The takeaway
Chicago voters will soon have a direct say in educational leadership, moving away from a long-standing mayoral appointment process. Residents should track the platforms of the three declared candidates to understand how different leadership styles might affect district policy.
What happens next
The general election for the school board president and the 20 district-specific seats will be held in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the Administration changes impacting Chicago schools.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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