Chicago Teachers Union Endorses Candidates for Board of Education

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has announced its endorsements for 15 candidates out of the 21 seats available on the city’s Board of Education. This selection includes both candidates chosen by the mayor and political newcomers, all running ahead of the election in November. In the other six races, four of which are uncontested, the CTU expressed that no candidate matched their values. Released late Monday, the endorsement list creates challenges for the union to maintain a school board majority.

The impact of the union’s endorsement remains uncertain. In the 2024 school board elections, only four of the nine candidates backed by CTU were victorious in contested races. Despite this, CTU’s support could be pivotal in tighter races due to the organization capabilities of its 30,000 members.

The endorsement list contains several notable names, including CTU’s political director Hilario Dominguez, who is vying for board president. Alongside him, four other at-large candidates have received CTU’s support. The union is also backing seven incumbent board members appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has a history with CTU. Two other incumbents, Ebony DeBerry and Jitu Brown, who were previously elected with CTU’s support, are also endorsed.

Chicago Public Schools are currently transitioning to a new governing structure with a mix of elected and appointed members. All board positions will be open for election for the first time in November. In District 10A, CTU has endorsed write-in candidate Tameka Walton, a nonprofit leader. Despite an initial filing in May, Walton faces challenges to her nomination papers, with the Chicago Electoral Board yet to reach a definitive decision on her case. If unsuccessful, elected incumbent Che “Rhymefest” Smith will be the sole candidate listed on the ballot in that district.

Other challenges abound, as appointed members Angel Velez and Cydney Wallace have been removed from the ballot after petition disputes. Both were CTU-aligned, leaving their competitors uncontested. In other districts where only incumbents filed to run, like in District 4B and 8A, the candidates do not have CTU’s backing. Notably, Yesenia Lopez, a sitting board member in District 7B, did not receive an endorsement despite previous CTU support due to differing stances on key issues.

The CTU is once again competing with special interest groups that back charter schools and school choice. In 2024, CTU’s political action committees spent over $4.3 million, which was more than any other group. In comparison, Super PACs supporting the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and the Urban Center spent about $3.5 million. The union’s committee bases endorsements on candidate meetings and questionnaire reviews, needing approval from the CTU House of Delegates.

Kathryn Zamarrón, chair of CTU’s legislative committee, emphasized the importance of teachers in shaping district policy, comparing their role to that of doctors running hospitals. On Tuesday, the SEIU Illinois State Council revealed endorsements for 13 candidates, including a mix of incumbents and new faces, some aligned with CTU. SEIU Local 73, which includes 13,000 support staff in CPS, marks its influence similarly. However, recent tensions between CTU and SEIU have arisen due to district staffing disputes, yet both continue advocating for optimal conditions for employees and students.

The CTU endorsed the following: Board President Hilario Dominguez, District 1A Ed Bannon, District 1B Claudia Peralta, District 2A Ebony DeBerry, District 2B Deborah “Debby” Pope, District 3A Norma Rios-Sierra, District 3B Jason Dones, District 4A Karen Zaccor, District 5A Aaron “Jitu” Brown, District 5B Michilla Blaise, District 6A Anusha Thotakura, District 7A Emma Lozano, District 9B Katherine Dunneback, District 10A Tameka Walton (write-in), and District 10B Connie Anderson.

SEIU endorsed: District 1A Ed Bannon*, District 1B Claudia Peralta*, District 2A Ebony DeBerry*, District 3A Norma Rios-Sierra*, District 3B Carlos Rivas, District 4A Ellen Sherratt, District 4B Ellen Rosenfeld, District 7A Jesus Ayala, Jr., District 7B Yesenia Lopez, District 8A Angel Gutierrez, District 9A Brittany Preston, District 9B Therese Boyle, and District 10A Che “Rhymefest” Smith.

*Candidates endorsed by both CTU and SEIU.