Gonzales and Sierra Will Compete for District 3A Seat
The two candidates are campaigning to represent District 3A in the upcoming Chicago school board election.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should your local district raise property tax levies to fund public school programs?
Pete Gonzales and Norma Rios Sierra will face off on November 3, 2026, for a seat on the Chicago school board. The candidates are vying to represent District 3A, which encompasses neighborhoods including Albany Park, Avondale, and Logan Square.
Why it matters
The election occurs as the district navigates the management of 20 schools serving a diverse population. The board recently secured $150 million in state funding to support educational operations and stabilize school budgets.
District 3A includes 20 schools serving a population that is 58% Hispanic and 31% white. The school board recently allocated $150 million in state funding to address spending constraints.
The players
Pete Gonzales
He is a legal adviser for the Illinois Secretary of State who is running for a school board seat.
Norma Rios Sierra
She is a special projects manager at the Chicago Park District who was appointed to the board by the mayor in 2024.
Brandon Johnson
He is the current Mayor of Chicago who appointed the incumbent school board member in 2024.
The details
Norma Rios Sierra, who was appointed to the board by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2024, currently works as a special projects manager for the Chicago Park District. Her challenger, Pete Gonzales, serves as a legal adviser for the Illinois Secretary of State.
Timeline
Norma Rios Sierra was appointed to the school board in 2024.
The Chicago Board of Education budgeted $150 million in state funding during summer 2026.
Culture Shift
This election represents a shift in local governance as the city follows the Illinois School Board election process. It reflects a broader movement toward localized control of school districts across the city's neighborhoods.
Residents of District 3A will determine the leadership overseeing 20 local, charter, and citywide schools. The election results will directly influence the implementation of the district's $150 million state funding allocation in their neighborhoods.
The takeaway
Voters in neighborhoods like Portage Park and Hermosa will decide the direction of their local schools on November 3. The incoming representative will play a key role in managing the district's recent state-funded budget increases.
Further reading
For more information on school governance, visit the Administration page.
Live Poll
Should your local district raise property tax levies to fund public school programs?
