On November 5, 2024, Chicago voters participated in significant national and local elections, including the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The ballot featured races for all 17 Congressional seats, Cook County's top prosecutor, and the first elected members of the Chicago school board.

Candidates for the newly expanded school board include notable figures such as Karen Zacor and Ellen Rosenfield in District 4, while Jessica Biggs leads in District 6.

The new school board will increase from seven to 21 members, raising concerns about potential dysfunction and political challenges affecting its effectiveness.

This election is viewed as a pivotal moment for activists and parents advocating for more direct involvement in school governance and responsive education policies.

Despite CPS spending $20,000 annually per student, which has increased significantly since 2010, there are ongoing discussions about funding and avoiding cuts to classroom staffing.

Jewish groups and Chicago officials have called for the resignation of Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, the new president of the Chicago Public School Board, due to his history of alleged antisemitic remarks.

In response to the backlash, Johnson apologized for his past comments, describing them as 'reactive and insensitive' during an interview.

The situation surrounding Johnson has sparked broader discussions about race, justice, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within American politics.

The election results were mixed for the Chicago Teachers Union, which had heavily invested in candidates aiming for a school board takeover.

Polling issues were reported at Ogden Elementary School, where voters faced confusion about their voting rights due to problems with electronic pollbooks.

To assist voters, a multilingual, nonpartisan hotline was established to address polling issues and promote equity in the electoral process.