Tell Me Your Story: The Money Behind Chicago's School Board Elections

You're walking down the streets of Chicago and you see a group of people holding up giant blown-up checks. These aren't just any checks, but ones showing huge investments from billionaires in the upcoming school board elections. That's right, billionaires from outside Illinois are pouring money into the race to elect the next school board members. Aldermen, congressmen, parents, and even state senators like Robert Martwick are speaking out against this. They want laws to change so that outside money doesn't sway the election. But experts say any new laws might not stop this money train anytime soon. You see, Illinois has a unique rule that lets funding caps be lifted if campaign contributions reach over $100, 000. This means money can flow freely late in the game. Both sides are spending big, with groups supporting school choice and charter schools, and those against it, like the Chicago Teachers Union. There's a lot of money changing hands, with over $1. 6 million spent by groups supporting charter schools and close to $2 million spent by the union. But what does this mean for the kids? Parents like Cleopatra Draper worry about the future of their kids' education. She thinks about the pipeline to prison for Black and brown kids and doesn't want to see their schools "bought" and their kids "miseducated. " Professors like Kent Redfield from the University of Illinois Springfield say any new laws might face challenges, especially with a recent law about judicial campaign contributions being contested in court. They also point out that school board elections are usually local, not involving big interest groups or mayors. But Chicago is different, with the whole board resigning and a new mayor closely aligned with the teachers union. Super PACs, which can't directly talk to candidates, are spending big on ads, texts, and mailers. They get money from wealthy people, some living out of state. Once a candidate in a district gets over $100, 000, all candidates can take in more money, leading to a last-minute money rush. The Board of Elections has removed limits on donations for most districts. With the election just around the corner, both sides are spending heavily. The INCS super PAC has seen big donations from people like James Frank and the Walmart heirs. Andrew Broy, the head of INCS, says these donors believe charter schools can help kids succeed. While CTU didn't comment, national politics are making their way into the local race. Flyers and texts about the school board election are everywhere. Professor John Jackson from Southern Illinois University says school board elections are now reflecting national party movements and big financial involvements.