Jessica Biggs wins Chicago school board presidency in first fully elected race
The Chicago Teachers Union claims at least nine seats on the 21-member board despite losing the top position.
By Sanjay Caldwell ·
Jessica Biggs declared victory Tuesday night in the race for the presidency of the Chicago Public Schools board. The former principal and current board member is set to become the first person to hold the office under the new fully elected system. Her win marks the end of months of conflict on the previous hybrid board, which had been appointed by the mayor.
Biggs defeated Hilario Dominguez, a candidate backed by the Chicago Teachers Union, and attorney Victor Henderson. She stated that her focus will be on student needs rather than political maneuvering. "I will also work with any mayor, any union and any partner who puts our children first because our students cannot afford to spend its energy fighting over political drama," Biggs said.
The Chicago Teachers Union reported that its supported candidates secured at least nine seats and possibly ten on the 21-member board. Union Vice President Jackson Potter described the outcome as a success for the group. Potter said the union intends to continue advocating for an extension of the school closure moratorium, which is scheduled to expire in January.
Potter questioned the representation of majority-minority districts by a white candidate. "How does a white woman represent a majority-minority district and ensure that those students who have, you know, not received what they deserve with communities that have been neglected for decades get what they need and require?" he asked. Potter also noted that the results indicated a rejection of large outside spending in the election. "I would say that reflects the fact that Chicagoans in large do not accept dark money," he said.
Although the CTU-aligned group does not hold a majority of the 21 seats, observers suggest the bloc will carry substantial weight. Becky Vevea, bureau chief of Chalkbeat Chicago, noted that some board votes require a two-thirds majority. "In that case, this block of CTU-aligned members would be able to, you know, make some waves," Vevea said.
The new board is expected to be sworn in early next year, approximately one month before the mayoral election. Biggs received support from major unions, political action committees, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle during her campaign. The CTU played a major role in Mayor Brandon Johnson's election campaign, and the results of this race are likely to fuel questions about the union's ongoing political influence.
