Chicago Voters Set for Landmark 2026 Election Featuring First-Ever Elected School Board
Chicago residents are preparing for the November 3, 2026, Illinois general election, which features the first-ever election of all 20 Chicago Public Schools Board seats and a contest for board president. Voters will also decide on races for U.S. Senate,…
Chicago, IL, October 1, 2026 —
Chicago voters are gearing up for the Illinois general election scheduled for November 3, 2026, a significant electoral event that will include a historic first for the city’s public education system. For the first time, all 20 seats on the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board will be determined by voters, alongside a contest for the position of board president.
This pivotal election marks a major shift in the governance of one of the nation’s largest urban school districts, moving from an appointed board to one directly elected by residents. The outcome will place substantial decision-making power over CPS policies, budgets, and leadership directly into the hands of the electorate.
Beyond the landmark CPS Board elections, the November 2026 ballot will present a comprehensive slate of statewide and county-level contests. Key races will include those for:
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House of Representatives (Congress)
- Illinois Governor
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Illinois Attorney General
- Illinois Comptroller
- Illinois Treasurer
- Illinois General Assembly (State Senate and House)
- Cook County Board President
- Cook County Commissioners
- Various other local positions across different counties
The election date of November 3, 2026, falls within the established schedule for the state’s general elections, which typically occur on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. This cycle ensures that voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on a wide range of governmental leadership roles, from federal representation down to local county boards and special district leadership.
The introduction of elected CPS Board seats is expected to heighten engagement among Chicago’s diverse communities, as residents will directly choose their representatives for educational governance. The implications of this new electoral structure for the future of Chicago Public Schools are anticipated to be a focal point in the lead-up to the election.
Story summarized from the original created by Violet Miller on www.wbez.org, see more information here.
