‘It threatens us’: Chicago school board candidate denounces attack ad
The race for Chicago’s first elected school board is drawing to a close.
CHICAGO – For the first time, Chicago voters will have to choose who they want to represent them on the city’s new hybrid-elected school board, as special interests have spent millions of dollars on these hotly contested elections. .
The Chicago Teachers Union spent $1.3 million through various political action groups, according to campaign records compiled by the Illinois State Board of Elections. Factoring in other in-kind donations, that number could approach $2 million. Meanwhile, the Illinois Charter School Network has raised $3.2 million, according to its quarterly campaign report, and is joined by the Urban Center, a centrist group backed by charter school interests. , raised over $600,000.
Cook County Commissioner and CTU ally Tara Stamps said out-of-state billionaires are trying to privatize Chicago public schools.
“We are ready to step on the mat to ensure that every child receives a quality, relevant education,” Stamps said at a press conference this morning.
But a group of school board candidates opposed by CTU claim they have been targeted by fake and fraudulent emails falsely linking them to Project 2025 and Donald Trump.
Karyn Norrington Reeves, a school board candidate who is being opposed by CTU in District 10, said, “I have been accused of being aligned with President Trump and Project 2025’s policies, which is far from the truth.” It’s not a thing,” he said. “I ran for Congress two years ago as a Democrat. I’ve never drawn a Republican vote in my life.”
Miguel Ruiz, who is running for District 9, says CTU’s attack email is offensive.
“The fact that the CTU and its supporters have the audacity to call these candidates people who ‘serve their slave masters’ is ridiculous and insulting, and I cannot tolerate it,” Lewis said. Ta.
Lawmakers passed a bill in 2021 that would move CPS from an appointed board to an elected board to give residents more of a voice. But that wasn’t always the case, said Alisa Kaplan, executive director of Illinois Reform.
“That’s bad for democracy. You never want candidates or elected officials to be overly beholden to one person or group,” Kaplan said.
He also said the large spending could be a problem for CPS, which is already reeling from financial difficulties and political controversy.
“This opens the door to corruption and pay-to-play politics that can seek favors in return for large campaign contributions.”
The candidates opposed to CTU all support CEO Pedro Martinez and support Mayor Johnson’s controversial $300 million request to fund the new CTU contract and balance the CPS budget. He says he is opposed to the loan. Ten districts are up for consideration, but the mayor can appoint 11 more board members next year.
