Election Day Victory!

From the top to the bottom of the ticket, SEIU Local 73 candidates won on Election Day! In the hotly contested race for Chicago’s first elected Board of Education, Jessica Biggs was elected Board President, and at least nine Local 73 Board candidates won their races. District 3B is still too close to call.

“Chicago voters just made history, and our members helped make it happen,” said Dian Palmer, President of SEIU Local 73. “Our members knocked on doors, made calls, and talked to their neighbors because they know that the people who keep our schools running every day deserve a seat at the table. With Jessica Biggs and a majority of our endorsed candidates elected, they will finally have one.”

SEIU Local 73 represents more than 16,000 school support staff in Chicago Public Schools, including special education classroom assistants, custodians, crossing guards, security officers, bus aides, parent workers, and miscellaneous staff who are essential to student safety, learning, and well-being. Many are also CPS parents and lifelong Chicago residents.

What this means for members and students

A Board of Education that is accountable to voters, and that listens to the people who work in our schools every day, will make better decisions for Chicago’s students. For Local 73 members, this means a board more willing to respect their work, value their expertise, and bargain in good faith. For students, it means classrooms and school buildings that are properly staffed, safe, and supported.

“When school support staff are respected and fairly compensated, students benefit,” said Palmer. “The adults who greet children at the door, keep buildings clean, and support students with disabilities are part of the education team. This election affirms that.”

The work ahead

SEIU Local 73 will keep fighting for the resources Chicago’s schools need and has three priorities for the new board and its partners in Springfield:

• Increased education funding. Chicago’s schools deserve full and equitable state funding, and Local 73 will continue to advocate for increased investment in classrooms and the staff who support them.
• Summer unemployment insurance for public school support staff. Thousands of school support workers go without income each summer through no fault of their own. Local 73 will continue its fight to secure unemployment insurance protection for these essential workers.
• A balanced CPS budget. Fiscal stability is essential to the district’s long-term health. Local 73 supports a balanced budget built on sustainable revenue and responsible, transparent decision-making, one that protects the frontline staff and services students depend on rather than putting them at risk.

“Our work did not end on Election Day. It starts now,” said Palmer. “We look forward to working with President Biggs and the new board to build schools where every student can thrive and every worker is treated with dignity.”

The newly elected board will take office Jan. 15, 2027.

SEIU Local 73 was successful in 93.67% of the races in which we endorsed including, U.S. Senator-Elect Juliana Stratton, Governor JB Pritzker, and Lt. Governor-Elect Christian Mitchell.