Chicago Teachers Union, aligned groups direct nearly $2.4 million to school board races
Most of that support went to Hilario Dominguez, a candidate for school board president.
The Chicago Teachers Union and aligned organizations had directed nearly $2.4 million in support to 17 Chicago school board candidates as of Oct. 29.
The support is both reported donations and in-kind contributions. At least 73% of the total went to one candidate, Hilario Dominguez.
Dominguez, a candidate for Chicago school board president, received $1.72 million in reported support from CTU and aligned organizations, according to data from the Illinois State Board of Elections.
That includes at least $1.05 million from CTU and $678,000 from Our Schools PAC, which is heavily funded by the CTU.
The other 16 candidates received a combined $644,928 from CTU and aligned organizations.
Among the other candidates, Karen Zaccor received the most reported support, at $63,449, followed by Claudia Peralta at $57,347 and both Deborah “Debby” Pope and Michilla “Kyla” Blaise at $55,353.
Two candidates received contributions despite not being endorsed by CTU: Brenda Lee Anderson received $1,372 directly from CTU, while Yesenia Lopez received $1,000 from Our Schools PAC.
What powers does the elected Chicago school board have?
According to the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education, the board’s responsibilities include but aren’t limited to:
- Hiring and evaluating the CEO
- Establishing the district’s direction, goals and priorities
- Approving the district budget and capital improvement plan
- Approving district policies
- Approving purchasing decisions, contracts and intergovernmental agreements
- Approving the school year calendar
- Approving school continuous improvement plans, school actions and school charters and contracts
- Approving the dismissal of probationary appointed teachers, contract principals and tenured teachers and non-probationary educational support personnel
Today is Election Day. Your vote matters. Elections in Illinois can be close. If you haven’t voted, find your polling place.