Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 9a, Auburn Gresham, Englewood
This story was reported and published in collaboration with WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit newsroom covering Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Stay informed with Chalkbeat Chicago’s newsletter , WBEZ and the Sun-Times’ education newsletter , and Block Club Chicago’s newsletters . Voters in this South Side district will have a new representative — with a familiar…
In District 9a of Chicago's school board election in 2026, the race is effectively decided with Brittany Bailey Preston, wife of state Senator Willie Preston, the sole candidate. Willie Preston's district overlaps with this territory. Angel Velez, appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, was removed from the ballot after many of his signatures were challenged and invalidated.
Voters in this majority-Black district, which includes 47 schools, will now choose Preston to represent them. Preston, a construction company owner, has not raised any campaign funds yet. The district has faced challenges with declining enrollment and low state ratings on school performance. Preston's priorities include improving literacy, expanding career pathways, and making CPS "the most family-friendly school district in America."
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- 2026 Chicago School Board Election Resources chalkbeat.org
