Chicago Voters to Elect First Fully Elected CPS Board President

Two candidates, Jessica Biggs and Jenni Custer, are vying for the top spot on the new Chicago Public Schools board.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:06pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a yellow school bus parked on a city street, the vehicle's reflections and shadows creating a sense of solitude and contemplation.The election of Chicago's first fully elected school board president will shape the future of the city's public education system.Chicago Today

In November 2026, Chicago voters will decide on the first fully elected school board for Chicago Public Schools, including the position of board president. Two candidates, Jessica Biggs and Jenni Custer, have entered the race for board president. Biggs is a former CPS principal who was previously on the district's 'Do Not Hire' list, while Custer is a current school board member endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union.

Why it matters

The election of the first fully elected CPS board, including the president, is a significant shift from the previous appointed board. The new board president will play a key role in addressing the district's massive budget deficit and deciding whether to close schools, which are both major challenges facing CPS.

The details

Jessica Biggs, a former CPS principal, is running for board president after being elected to the Chicago Board of Education two years ago. Biggs says she has experience leading the superintendent search process and playing a key role in passing a responsible budget. However, her background includes being placed on CPS's 'Do Not Hire' list, which she says was politically motivated. Jenni Custer, the only other current school board member running for president, was endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union in 2024 but says she has tried to establish herself as an independent voice. Both Biggs and Custer say addressing the CPS budget deficit and potentially closing schools will be major priorities.

  • In November 2026, Chicago voters will decide on the first fully elected school board for Chicago Public Schools.
  • Jessica Biggs was elected to the Chicago Board of Education two years ago, in 2024.

The players

Jessica Biggs

A former CPS principal who is running for CPS board president. She was previously on the district's 'Do Not Hire' list, which she says was politically motivated.

Jenni Custer

The only other current school board member running for board president. She was endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union in 2024 but says she has tried to establish herself as an independent voice.

Sendhill Revuluri

A former appointed Board Vice President who is also running for CPS board president.

Victor Henderson

A Chicago attorney who is also running for CPS board president.

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What they’re saying

“I've led on our superintendent search process. I played a lead role in a coalition that ultimately delivered passage of a responsible budget last August. So, I intend to bring all of those experiences to bear as board president.”

— Jessica Biggs, Candidate for CPS Board President

“It's not disqualifying when you're elected, but it's certainly something for voters to think about.”

— Jenni Custer, Current CPS School Board Member

“I don't anticipate they're going to throw their support behind me. This time around, I've really tried to establish myself as a pretty independent voice and fight for all kids.”

— Jenni Custer, Candidate for CPS Board President

“You know, I know a lot of people don't want to talk about it, but we are going to have to look at our utilization of schools across the district.”

— Jenni Custer, Candidate for CPS Board President

“What's clear to me is that as we move forward as a district, any move that we make has to be fundamentally different than what we did in 2013.”

— Jessica Biggs, Candidate for CPS Board President

What’s next

The election for the first fully elected CPS school board, including the board president, will take place in November 2026.

The takeaway

The election of the first fully elected CPS school board, including the board president, represents a significant shift in the district's governance. The new board president will face major challenges in addressing the district's budget deficit and potentially closing schools, with voters closely watching how the candidates approach these issues.