{
  "id": 9535387,
  "title": "Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 5b, West Side",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/chicago-school-board-election-2026-the-race-in-district-5b-west-side",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T10:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Chalkbeat",
    "slug": "chalkbeat",
    "url": "https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/09/24/school-board-election-2026-district-5b-candidates-voter-guide/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Chicago School Board election in 2026 has focused on District 5b on the city's West Side, a diverse area stretching from the affluent West Loop to historically underinvested neighborhoods like North Lawndale and Garfield Park. This district boasts the most public schools of any district on the board, totaling 63. Both candidates vying for representation in this district have distinct policy focuses.\n\nIncumbent school board member Michilla \"Kyla\" Blaise, a political aide appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2024, is backed by the Chicago Teachers Union. Her campaign emphasizes increasing funding for CPS, tackling declining enrollment, and enhancing student mental health. In contrast, her challenger, Anthony Hargrove, who has experience running programs to assist dropouts, is supported by business and charter school advocates. Hargrove's priorities lie in boosting reading and math proficiency, refining special education, and expanding vocational and career education opportunities.\n\nDespite their differences, both candidates share common ground on several issues. They both support stricter regulations on the use of artificial intelligence and cellphones in classrooms, and they both oppose closing schools for any reason. Blaise is proud of her long-standing connection to the West Side, having lived there for four generations and sending her children to magnet schools. She advocates for more parent choice beyond neighborhood schools and aims to revitalize struggling neighborhood schools like Marshall Metropolitan High School, which once housed 5,000 students in the 1960s before a decline in enrollment.\n\nHargrove, also rooted in the community, grew up in the West Side and has direct ties to CPS. He attended CPS schools, graduated from Orr Academy High School, and has family members currently enrolled in the district's schools. He has worked for the district in various capacities, including as a security officer and parent worker. Hargrove's campaign highlights his commitment to community-centered decision-making, accountability, and providing students with the best possible opportunities.",
  "summary": "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 . The two candidates battling to represent a large swath of the West Side are taking a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Chalkbeat",
        "title": "Chicago School Board Election 2026: The race in District 5a, West Side",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/chicago-school-board-election-2026-the-race-in-district-5a-west-side",
        "published": "2026-09-24T10:09:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}