Elecciones de la Junta de Educación de Chicago 2026: La carrera en el Distrito 5a

Chicago's 2026 Board of Education elections feature a close race in District 5a, a majority-black and Latino west-side neighborhood. Three candidates are vying for the seat: veteran activist Aaron "Jitu" Brown, retired special education teacher LaPamela Williams, and Kernetha Jones, a recent political figure.

Brown, a community organizer, aims to secure more state funding and cut administrative expenses. Williams, originally from Austin and a Lane Tech College Prep alumna, seeks to increase financial responsibility and trim non-student-benefiting expenditures. Jones, who was removed from the ballot, emphasizes the need for better exam results before allocating more funds to what she calls a "failing system."

The district spans from predominantly black Austin westward to Garfield Park and Humboldt Park, and eastward to Ukrainian Village. It includes 39 schools primarily serving black and Latino students. District 5a residents have the lowest secondary school attendance rates, with less than 7% of secondary students attending their neighborhood schools, as per CPS data.

One secondary school, Frederick Douglass Academy in Austin, had only 27 students in the previous year and has become a focal point in debates on how CPS should address declining enrollment. All three candidates live in Austin and have differing views on independent charter schools. Brown and Jones oppose their expansion, while Williams supports opening more charter schools with community backing.

Williams' motivation for running stems from her passion for learning and community. New to educational activism, she credits her customer service experience, including work as an elderly care aide, for her preparedness. She emphasizes clear communication and listening to constituents to translate their concerns into action. Backed by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, The Urban Center, and Common Ground Collective, Williams opposes expanding charter schools without sustainable funding and clear improvement plans.

She supports CPS stepping in to support existing charter schools with proven results. If elected, Williams plans to thoroughly review the budget, insisting that "more taxes, more money" is necessary, but with responsible spending and oversight to ensure funds are well-utilized.