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Chicago votes Nov. 3, 2026, on its first fully elected school board, and the Chicago Teachers Union is facing opposition from nearly every direction. Political consultant and Chicago election mapmaker Frank Calabrese joins host Melanie Krakauer to walk through the 2026 Chicago school board election: the citywide school board president race, the union feud between CTU and SEIU, the outside groups spending millions, and the district races to watch. Why it matters: Chicago Public Schools receives the majority of a Chicago homeowner's property tax bill, more than police, fire or city services. Whoever controls the school board controls one of the largest budgets in Illinois. In this episode: - Who's running for Chicago school board president, and why Frank sees it as Jessica Biggs vs. Hilario Dominguez - Why CTU has endorsed candidates in just 13 of 20 districts after petition challenges - How CTU and SEIU Local 73 went from allies to rivals - The roughly $4 million already committed by Common Ground Collective, the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and SEIU, and why spending could approach $10 million - The CPS budget deficit, under-enrolled schools and the school closing moratorium set to expire in 2027 CHAPTERS 0:00 Is it everyone vs. the Chicago Teachers Union? 1:16 How does Chicago's elected school board work? 2:13 Why CPS gets most of your Chicago property tax bill 7:03 Why CTU has no candidates in 7 districts 10:41 Who's running for Chicago school board president? Biggs vs. Dominguez 19:13 CTU vs. SEIU: Why Chicago's unions are feuding 20:48 Chicago school board endorsements: CTU, SEIU, CFL, Common Ground 23:16 What every Chicago voter should know 24:05 CPS budget deficit, empty schools and school closings 30:58 How much money is being spent? Up to $10 million 33:00 Chicago school board races, district by district 33:32 District 1A: Ed Bannon vs. Margie Lucic (Edison Park, Norwood Park) 36:45 District 1B: Claudia Pallotta vs. Michelle Pierre (Irving Park, Albany Park) 40:30 District 2A: Ebony DeBerry vs. Hector Morales (Rogers Park, West Ridge) 42:33 District 2B: Debbie Pope (Edgewater, Uptown, Lincoln Square) 44:17 District 3A: Norma Rio-Sierra vs. Peter Gonzalez (Logan Square, Avondale) 45:34 District 3B: Carlos Rivas vs. Jason Dones rematch (Humboldt Park) 46:58 District 4A: Karen Zacher vs. [CANDIDATE] vs. Angel Alvarez 48:40 District 4B: Ellen Rosenfeld runs unopposed 50:04 District 5A: Jitu Brown vs. La Palma Williams (West Side) 51:51 District 5B: Michilla Blaise vs. Anthony Hargrove (West Loop, Garfield Park) 53:56 District 6A: Anusha Thotakura vs. Isaiah White (River North, Gold Coast) 56:35 Districts 7A and 7B: Emma Lozano, Yesenia Lopez (Pilsen, Little Village) 58:49 Common Ground, charter schools and outside spending to watch 1:00:32 Why this election is a huge test for CTU 1:01:02 Where to research Chicago school board candidates before Nov. 3 Sign up for our Morning Briefing newsletter: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/subscribe-to-the-morning-briefing/ Subscribe to Illinois Policy's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@illinoispolicy Follow Illinois Policy on all social platforms: X – https://x.com/illinoispolicy Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/illinoispolicy/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@illinoispolicy Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/illinoispolicy

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Illinois? From sky-high property taxes to confusing new commission rules, navigating the real estate market is tougher than ever. Expert real estate agent Kati Spaniak joins us to break down the current state of housing in Illinois and across the country. We discuss how local building regulations, rising property taxes, and the state's pension crisis are squeezing homeowners and preventing new development. Discover what the recent real estate commission lawsuits actually mean for buyers and sellers, and why policymakers need boots on the ground to fix the massive inventory shortage.

There is an "endless appetite" for spending in Springfield, but who is actually paying the bill? Former Deputy Republican Leader Tom Demmer pulls back the curtain on the chaotic, high-stakes game of the Illinois state budget on the latest episode of the Illinois Policy Podcast. As Governor Pritzker prepares his annual budget address, Illinois faces a potential structural deficit. Despite failed attempts at a progressive income tax, state spending continues to rise, driven by pension liabilities and Medicaid expansion. This episode analyzes the General Revenue Fund (GRF), the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) projections, and the economic impact of having the nation's highest corporate tax rates. We discuss the need for a spending cap, the reality of outmigration, and fiscal reforms needed to stabilize the Illinois economy.

Is Chicago in an economic death spiral or an undervalued investment opportunity? In this episode, we sit down with investor and former corporate lawyer Stu Loren to analyze the hard data on Chicago's economic trajectory. The findings are eye-opening: the average Chicago worker is effectively 10% poorer today than they were five years ago, and the city is growing at a fraction of the rate of Sun Belt competitors like Austin and Nashville. But the conversation takes an unexpected turn. Despite the challenges, Stu makes a compelling contrarian case that Chicago's economic struggles may have created a rare buying opportunity. With emerging strengths in nuclear power, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and logistics, Chicago has the fundamentals to stage a major comeback—if city leadership can implement the right reforms. We dig deep into the numbers behind Chicago's pension crisis, examine what the data really says about public safety, break down the high-stakes Chicago Bears stadium standoff, and expose the massive inefficiencies plaguing Chicago Public Schools. Whether you're a Chicago resident, business owner, investor, or just someone interested in urban economics and public policy, this episode delivers the data-driven analysis you won't find anywhere else. Is Chicago a buy, sell, or hold? Listen now to find out.

Chicago and Illinois are dedicating nearly a third of their revenues just to pensions and retiree benefits — starving public safety, infrastructure, and basic services. In this episode, JPMorgan market strategist Michael Cembalest breaks down the real numbers behind Illinois’ pension crisis, from unfunded liabilities to 911 response times and outmigration.

Chicago is facing record outmigration, failing schools, and rising taxes. In this debut episode, Paul Vallas—former Chicago Public Schools CEO and 2023 mayoral candidate—joins us to break down why families are leaving Chicago, how the Chicago Teachers Union controls city policymaking, the real state of crime and safety, and how things could have been different. Listen now and subscribe to the Illinois Policy Podcast for honest conversations about Illinois’ future. 00:00 – Chicago’s Crisis: Crime, Taxes, Schools 00:41 – Welcome to the Illinois Policy Podcast 01:07 – Introducing Guest: Paul Vallas 01:25 – What Could Have Been Different? 02:03 – Chicago’s Public Safety Problem 03:17 – Housing & Development Failures 04:03 – Springfield: Missed Opportunities 06:00 – Teachers Union’s Grip on Chicago 07:19 – CPS Staffing & Spending Issues 09:22 – Why Families Are Leaving Chicago 12:03 – How Schools Were Reformed in the Past 14:01 – Local Control and Magnet Schools 15:52 – Lowering Education Standards 18:22 – Attacks on Testing & Accountability 20:03 – Charter and School Choice Options 22:16 – Failing “Sustainable Community Schools” 24:19 – How Unions Block Real Options for Families 25:13 – Public Safety: The Reality vs. Rhetoric 27:18 – Schools, COVID, and the Crime Spike 28:39 – How Prosecutors Changed Crime Trends 29:39 – Domestic Violence on the Rise 30:39 – Why Crime is Underreported 33:30 – Chicago as a “Sanctuary City for Criminals” 35:09 – Police Staffing and Crime Correlation 37:14 – CTA Safety and Ridership Decline 39:11 – Chicago’s Future Forecast 41:07 – The Three Financial Crises Facing the City 42:51 – Who Will Lead Chicago Next? 44:23 – Cook County Politics & Preckwinkle’s Influence 45:46 – Closing Thoughts with Paul Vallas

The new, 103rd Illinois General Assembly session starts today. What are the key issues incoming lawmakers should address? Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research at the Illinois Policy Institute, recommends three solutions Illinois legislators could pursue to solve long-term problems and grow opportunity in Illinois.

The Chicago Teachers Union and other teachers' unions oppose Invest in Kids, a tax-credit scholarship program that allows underprivileged children to attend private schools of their choice. Why would teachers advocate against a program that helps low-income students? Mailee Smith, staff attorney and director of labor policy at Illinois Policy Institute, refutes opponents' false claims about the program and explains why the Illinois General Assembly should reinstitute Invest in Kids during its next session.

The new year will bring new state laws, many of which passed before lawmakers and the public had time to review them. How will these complex laws change life in Illinois? Joe Tabor, director of policy research at Illinois Policy Institute, gives an overview of Illinois' new laws for 2023 from the controversial SAFE-T Act to a new constitutional amendment.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many Illinois parents to the concept and practice of school choice. What is school choice and why has it become such a politicized issue? Nathan Hoffman, director of state policy and legislative strategy for the American Federation for Children, joins us to discuss the benefits of school choice and why Illinois should extend Invest in Kids, a state tax-credit and school-choice scholarship program.

Both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses led Illinois' job growth. What policies can the state adopt to further encourage small-business growth and promote economic vitality in Illinois? Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research at the Illinois Policy Institute, shares his recommendations on today's episode

The consolidated election will give voters a chance to elect their local school board members, who influence spending on property tax bills and make other important decisions regarding education. While the election isn’t until April 4, 2023, petitions to run for school board are due Dec. 19. Director of Labor Policy Mailee Smith explains why local elections are so important. She breaks down what to know if you want to get active in local school board races.

Voting polls have opened for the Nov. 8 general election and Illinois residents can cast their in-person votes at locations statewide. What's at stake for Illinois? Bryce Hill explains what voters need to know about everything from Amendment 1 to the gubernatorial race to how many candidates are running for Statehouse office.

With only a few days left until Election Day, Illinois' government unions continue to tout Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment at the top of the Nov. 8 ballot. Amendment 1's chief sponsor admitted the amendment cannot protect all Illinois workers -- so why are proponents still saying it can? Mailee Smith, director of labor policy at Illinois Policy Institute, explains why Amendment 1 is a "legal trick" that would hurt more workers than it would help if it passes.

Many misleading narratives surround Amendment 1, the proposed constitutional amendment at the top of the Nov. 8 ballot that proponents disingenuously call a "Workers Rights Amendment." Mailee Smith, director of labor policy at Illinois Policy Institute, identifies the top Amendment 1 myths that have spread during election season in this week's episode of The Policy Shop.