Independent expenditure committees back charter school advocates in landmark election
CHICAGO – As Chicago prepares for its first-ever elected school board race, groups advocating for school choice and charter schools have raised significant financial support. The November election follows a 2021 law that mandates an elected school board for the city, replacing the current mayor-appointed model.
According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, two key organizations, the Urban Center Action (UCA) and the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS), have accumulated over $3.6 million in combined donations. The donations come from business leaders and prominent billionaires, reflecting the high stakes of the election. Both groups have previously voiced criticism of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), positioning themselves as advocates for greater school choice in the city’s education system.
The donations are being funneled through independent expenditure committees, which operate like political action committees (PACs) but without the same donation limits. These committees, while prohibited from directly coordinating with candidates, can fund advertisements and distribute campaign materials in support of their preferred candidates. This approach enables groups like UCA and INCS to influence the election indirectly without violating campaign finance laws.