School Board Elections: Candidates’ Stance on Special Education and Disability Issues
This post has been updated on October 22, 2024, to reflect new questionnaire submissions.
As local elections approach, it’s vital to recognize their impact on advancing disability rights in education. At the Legal Council for Health Justice, we see these elections—especially school board races—as opportunities to shape policies that directly affect students with disabilities.
Chicago’s transition to an elected school board model will enhance accountability and community representation in educational decision-making. This shift empowers residents to vote for board members, giving them a direct say in shaping policies for local schools. With this new structure, there’s a greater focus on equity and inclusion, allowing community voices to advocate for necessary resources and policies that create a more accessible and supportive educational environment.
Legal Council partnered with Access Living to send questionnaires to the school board candidates about their stances on special education and disability issues. Follow the links below to learn more about each candidate and hear their responses.
District 1 (Edison Park, Portage Park, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park):
- Jennifer Custer – Questionnaire Answers
- Michelle N. Pierce – No Response
District 2 (West Ridge, Edgewater, Rogers Park, Andersonville, Lincoln Square, Albany Park, North Park, Uptown):
- Ebony L. DeBerry – Questionnaire Answers
- Kate Doyle – Questionnaire Answers
- Margaret “Maggie” Cullerton Hooper – Questionnaire Answers
- Bruce Leon – Questionnaire Answers
District 3 (Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Belmont Cragin, Logan Square, Avondale, Old Irving Park, Mayfair):
District 4 (Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Uptown):
- Kimberly Brown – Questionnaire Answers
- Andrew A. Davis – No Response
- Thomas Day – Questionnaire Answers
- Carmen Gioiosa – Questionnaire Answers
- Ellen Rosenfeld – Questionnaire Answers
- Karen Zaccor – Questionnaire Answers
District 5 (West Loop, Austin):
District 6 (Streeterville, River North, Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing):
- Jessica Biggs – Questionnaire Answers
- Andre Smith – No Response
- Anusha Thotakura – Questionnaire Answers
- Danielle J. Wallace – Questionnaire Answers
District 7 (Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park, Gage Park, Bridgeport, Chinatown, McKinley Park, Archer Heights):
- Raquel Don – No Response
- Yesenia López – Questionnaire Answers
- Eva A. Villalobos – No Response
District 8 (South Loop, McKinley Park, Back of the Yards):
District 9 (Morgan Park, Englewood, Roseland, Pullman, Beverly, Auburn-Gresham):
- Therese Boyle – No Response
- Lanetta M. Thomas – Questionnaire Answers
- La’Mont Raymond Williams – Questionnaire Answers
- Miquel Lewis – Questionnaire Answers
District 10 (Bronzeville, South Chicago):
- Robert Jones – Questionnaire Answers
- Karin Norington-Reaves – Questionnaire Answers
- Adam Parrot-Sheffer – Questionnaire Answers
- Che “Rhymefest” Smith – No Response
You can check your district using this tool. Early Voting is underway through November 4 at the Loop Supersite (191 N Clark) and Chicago Board of Elections Offices (69 W Washington, 6th Fl), and begins in all wards on Monday, October 21 at 9:00 a.m. Those voting on November 5 may vote at their precinct polling place, or any of the 51 vote centers across the city (regardless of city address).