Peralta to Seek Chicago District 1b School Board Seat
Candidate Peralta runs for the District 1b Chicago School Board position in the upcoming November 2026 election.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Peralta is campaigning for the District 1b seat on the Chicago School Board in the November 2026 election. She enters the race following the departure of Jennifer Custer from the school board president contest in August 2026.
Why it matters
Peralta aims to manage the Chicago Public Schools budget deficit while protecting educator salaries, leveraging her professional background in government funding. She draws on her personal history as an English-learning immigrant student to shape her platform for local families.
Peralta, who arrived in Chicago at age 12, previously served on the Carl Von Linné Elementary Local School Council. Her campaign efforts have included a fundraiser in July 2026 with 50 attendees.
The players
Peralta
She is a candidate for the District 1b Chicago School Board seat and the current district director for U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez.
Jennifer Custer
She is a former candidate for the Chicago School Board president who withdrew from the race in August 2026.
Chicago Teachers Union
This organization is a prominent labor union representing educators in the Chicago Public Schools system.
SEIU Illinois State Council
This council serves as a collective representative for various service employee unions throughout the state of Illinois.
The details
Peralta currently works as the district director for U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez and previously served as chief of staff for state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe. Her platform is supported by endorsements from the Chicago Teachers Union and the SEIU Illinois State Council.
Timeline
Peralta held a campaign fundraiser in July 2026.
Jennifer Custer withdrew from the school board president race in August 2026.
The SEIU contributed to Peralta's campaign in mid-September 2026.
The election for the District 1b seat occurs in November 2026.
Culture Shift
Peralta is running to address the Chicago Public Schools budget deficit, marking a trend of community advocates entering local board races. Her candidacy reflects a broader move to prioritize local council experience when selecting candidates for educational governance.
Residents of District 1b will decide the leadership of their local school board in the upcoming November 2026 election. The outcome will influence future policies regarding school funding and teacher salary negotiations in the region.
The takeaway
Candidates often lean on their personal backgrounds, such as experience as an English-learning student, to build trust with local voters. Voters should track how specific campaign promises regarding budget deficits translate into actionable policy after the election.
Further reading
For more information on local board developments, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Borderless Magazine.
Live Poll
Should school board members protect teacher salaries even when the school district faces budget deficits?
