Jessica Biggs elected Chicago Board of Education president

Jessica Biggs, a former Chicago Public Schools principal and current board member, has been elected as the first president of the Chicago Board of Education. Biggs secured approximately 49% of the vote, defeating Hilario Dominguez, who was backed by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), and attorney Victor Henderson, who received 17%.

While Biggs won the presidency, the CTU appears to have made significant gains in the district races. As of late Tuesday, CTU-backed candidates were leading in nine of the 15 contested district seats. If the union secures a nine-member bloc, it could create a formidable opposition to Biggs, potentially preventing her from reaching the two-thirds majority required to overturn certain resolutions.

Biggs has pledged to focus on improving student learning, building state coalitions for increased funding, and protecting students from political attacks. She noted that the district faces significant challenges regarding finances, enrollment, and rebuilding trust with families.