CTU-Backed Candidates Secure Strong Showing on Chicago School Board, Form Opposition Bloc
In Chicago, candidates endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have won or are leading in enough school board district seats to form a significant opposition bloc, despite losing the race for board president. The CTU candidates' strong showing came…
Chicago, IL, November 4, 2026 — In Chicago, candidates supported by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have secured a substantial number of seats on the city’s school board, positioning them to form a notable opposition bloc. This outcome was achieved despite the CTU-backed candidates facing significant financial disadvantages, being massively outspent by their opponents. While the candidates endorsed by the union performed strongly in district races, they did not win the election for board president.
The election results indicate that the CTU-endorsed candidates have won or are currently leading in sufficient school board district seats to establish a significant voting presence. This bloc is expected to influence upcoming board decisions.
A key factor highlighted in the election was the disparity in campaign spending. CTU-backed candidates ran campaigns that were outspent by a considerable margin by wealthy individuals or groups backing their opponents. Despite this financial imbalance, the union’s supported candidates managed to secure victories or lead in their respective districts.
The newly constituted school board will confront immediate and pressing issues, chief among them being the district’s budget. A significant component of this budgetary challenge involves the uncertainty surrounding state funding. The precise levels and allocation of state funds for Chicago Public Schools are yet to be fully determined, creating a complex financial landscape for the incoming board.
Details regarding the exact number of seats won or led by CTU-endorsed candidates were not provided in the summary. Similarly, the specific identities of the candidates, the amounts of money spent by opposing sides, and the specific nature of the budget challenges related to state funding were not detailed. The summary also did not specify what occurred next after the election results were known, beyond identifying the upcoming challenges for the new board.
Story summarized from the original created by Sarah Karp on www.wbez.org, see more information here.