In all districts aside from Chicago, local school board elections will be held on April 4, 2023. School board races are critical for how education is shaped at the most local level in Illinois because through their policy and spending decisions, local boards can make a huge impact. Unfortunately, school board races in many districts are now proxy wars for bigger forces, and voters must do their research before heading to their polls. 

We need school board members who will tackle the real problems schools face—lack of funding, mental health supports, services for students with disabilities, the teacher shortage—and are looking for solutions that can benefit all the students in a district.

What do we mean by "bigger forces"? School board candidates around the state are being supported by national dark money orgs, partnering with state and local groups, and pushing an anti-equality, anti-democracy, anti-public school agenda:

• These groups espouse transphobia and homophobia.
• These groups oppose teaching a full and accurate history for all students.
• These groups have engaged in harassment of school board members and teachers.
• These groups have pushed for book bans, in some cases successfully.
• These groups oppose age-appropriate, inclusive sex education.
• These groups don’t represent the views of most parents and community members

What's at stake in this election cycle is whether our schools are safe and nurturing educational environments for all students and families. Those funding extremist parent orgs are part of a national movement to discredit public education with a broader goal of privatizing public schools and destroying a pluralistic, small d-democratic society that works for all.

Voters and parents, do your homework, ask questions and demand answers! What are candidates saying, who's funding them, who’s training them, and what is their vision for a public school district that will serve all kids and the public good?

Here's some places to start your research:

• IL-FPS directory of some of the dark money anti-public school groups on the ground in Illinois. This is not comprehensive, but it's a jumping off point as you are researching who is on your ballot and what their values are.
• IL-FPS guide to working towards more racially just districts and schools. It has a list of questions to ask about about policies and practices that support racial justice at the classroom, school and district level. Find out where candidates stand on education equity issues.
• Candidate questionnaires and forums: League of Women Voters sponsors non-partisan forums in many districts and also creates voter guides. Their VOTE411 site lets you look up candidates on your ballot when you fill in your address.
• Local and state media have been covering some of these races. We'll update this list as we get closer to the election:

WBEZ: Outside conservative groups back candidates as school board races become ideological battlegrounds (3.9.2023)

Chicago Tribune Crowded Antioch school board race features ‘boogeyman talk,’ ‘Marxist progressive extremists’ and ‘torch and pitchfork’ candidates (2.9.23)

Chicago Tribune Conservatives are targeting suburban school boards. And the elections are becoming political battlegrounds. (3.26.23)

Daily Herald: Suburban school board races heat up over library books, sex ed (3.27.23)

• Campaign disclosures: The Illinois Board of Elections and Reform for Illinois have databases of campaign committee funding. Look for who is giving to candidates and who the candidates themselves have donated to. IL Board of Elections is more comprehensive, but Reform for IL's IL Sunshine site is a bit more user-friendly. 
• Endorsements: Which people and organizations have endorsed candidates in your district? Look for PACs, political organizations; teachers union locals and other unions; local elected officials, including sitting board members. Note: Endorsements help provide a picture of your candidates' values and policy stances. Not all endorsements are positive, i.e. some may be more useful in researching who not to vote for. If you know of a public endorsement list, not included here, get in touch: [email protected]

Newspapers

Unions

Progressive/left-leaning/Democratic orgs

Reactionary/extremist orgs

Questions about where, when and how to vote? The 866 Election Protection Illinois site is our go-to or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).