Elecciones de la Junta de Educación de Chicago 2026: La carrera en el Distrito 2b

In the upcoming Chicago School Council Elections of 2026, three candidates are vying for representation in District 2b, one of the most diverse areas in Chicago with 19 public schools. Debby Pope, a retired Chicago Public Schools teacher, was appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2024 after a mass resignation of previous council members amid tensions with former CPS Executive Director Pedro Martinez.

Pope is supported by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), while Kyna Lenhof, an advocate for reducing the district's dependence on high-interest loans, has backing from Common Ground Collective, a group opposing the CTU. Daniel Basco presents himself as an independent voice, highlighting his research in educational policy. All three candidates prioritize ensuring classrooms have adequate funding and resources, but differ in their approaches to funding.

Pope supports raising school funding through taxes on high-income earners, Basco wants more state funding for CPS, and Lenhof aims to reduce the district's reliance on high-interest loans. Pope's nomination came amid controversy following her vote in support of a CPS budget plan that allocated $150 million more in state funds than projected, a move criticized by Lenhof.

Lenhof and Pope both emphasized their classroom experience, while Basco highlighted his independent stance and research in education policy. Pope, a longtime Chicago resident, has a background in bilingual and dual-language education, having grown up in New York and lived in Chicago for over 50 years. Her children attended CPS schools, and her grandchildren attend a bilingual immersion school in Lakeview.