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Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 7b, Southwest Side EducationTop Stories

Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 7b, Southwest Side

Read in Spanish. Read in Chinese. This story was reported and published in collaboration with WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit newsroom covering Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Stay informed with Chalkbeat Chicago’s newsletter, WBEZ and the Sun-Times’ education newsletter, and Block Club Chicago’s newsletters. Two Latinas with backgrounds in public service are vying to represent a slice of the Southwest Side that has one of the highest shares of schools with the state’s top two performance designations. Incumbent Yesenia Lopez was elected to the school board in 2024 with the backing of the Chicago Teachers Union and…
November 2, 2026
Akilah Townsend for Chalkbeat
Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 7a, Southwest Side EducationTop Stories

Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 7a, Southwest Side

Read in Spanish. This story was reported and published in collaboration with WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit newsroom covering Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Stay informed with Chalkbeat Chicago’s newsletter, WBEZ and the Sun-Times’ education newsletter, and Block Club Chicago’s newsletters. In this majority Latino district, a longtime pastor and activist who fought against overcrowded schools in Pilsen and was appointed to the school board by the mayor in 2024 is facing a younger challenger and Chicago Public Schools graduate who worked for a nonprofit after-school program for the past six years. Incumbent board member Emma Lozano…
October 30, 2026
Akilah Townsend for Chalkbeat and courtesy image
Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 3a, Logan Square, Albany Park EducationLatest

Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 3a, Logan Square, Albany Park

Read in Spanish. This story was reported and published in collaboration with WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit newsroom covering Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Stay informed with Chalkbeat Chicago’s newsletter, WBEZ and the Sun-Times’ education newsletter, and Block Club Chicago’s newsletters. A newcomer building a coalition of support from private donors and charter school advocates is challenging a longtime community activist with ties to the Chicago Teachers Union and Northwest Side elected officials in the race to represent District 3a. Incumbent Norma Rios Sierra, a Logan Square organizer appointed to the school board in 2024 by Mayor…
October 28, 2026
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Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 1b, Northwest Side EducationLatest

Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 1b, Northwest Side

Read in Spanish. This story was reported and published in collaboration with WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit newsroom covering Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Stay informed with Chalkbeat Chicago’s newsletter, WBEZ and the Sun-Times’ education newsletter, and Block Club Chicago’s newsletters. The two women vying to represent Chicago’s Northwest Side are no strangers to politics — one ran for school board in 2024 and the other has run campaigns or worked for other elected officials for more than 15 years. Michelle Pierre lost by a thin margin in 2024, which was her first time running for office…
October 27, 2026
Photo Illustration by Borderless Magazine. Source photos: Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for America and AP
How the Public Charge Rule Could Affect Immigrants Seeking Green Cards Immigration PolicyTop Stories

How the Public Charge Rule Could Affect Immigrants Seeking Green Cards

Experts say the rule expands the benefits immigration officials can consider and gives them greater discretion to determine whether an applicant could face a ‘public charge.’
October 21, 2026
Chicago Board of Education candidates Carlos A. Rivas Jr. (left) and Jason Dones (right) are seen in separate photos.Akilah Townsend for Chalkbeat
Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 3b, Humboldt Park, Hermosa EducationLatest

Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 3b, Humboldt Park, Hermosa

Read in Spanish. This story was reported and published in collaboration with WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit newsroom covering Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Stay informed with Chalkbeat Chicago’s newsletter, WBEZ and the Sun-Times’ education newsletter, and Block Club Chicago’s newsletters. Two men who both grew up in Humboldt Park, graduated from selective enrollment Chicago public high schools, and became teachers through Teach for America are facing off — again — in the race to represent a district that spans from West Town to Belmont Cragin. Both candidates identify as progressives. Incumbent board member Carlos Rivas Jr.…
October 20, 2026