Candidate field set for first phase of Chicago's conversion to an elected school board

The ballot that will begin the process of choosing Chicago’s first elected school board later this year is largely set, with 32 candidates vying for 10 seats.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that election officials have determined which candidates qualified for a place on the Nov. 5 ballot. The field started in June with 47 potential candidates.

Chicago’s school board will be transformed in January from a seven-member panel, all appointed by the mayor, to a 21-member board.

Ten members will be elected from geographic districts in November; another 10 members, as well as the board president, will be mayoral appointments. In 2027, all 21 board members will be elected.