>> You may have heard there's an election coming up for Chicago school board members.

But how does it all work?

Never fear or W T Tw News explains series.

Has you covered?

Here's our Matt Masterson to help sort out all the details for this November election.

>> A decade Chicago has been the only city in Illinois with its board of Education handpicked by its much to the chagrin of education advocates long for to be an elected body.

This fall.

Those advocates finally get there, which it's off to the races.

In the November general election for the first time ever.

All 21 seats on the board will be up for ending a reign of mayoral control that dates back to 18.

95 under Richard the board already underwent one radical shift in 2024.

Tripling in size from 7 members to 20 10 of those members were elected by city residents and the other 11, a majority were still picked by the mayor.

The board approved Chicago Public schools, budget and policies sets the annual academic calendar.

It hires and evaluates the school district Now that power will be fully with the people so hollow the next round of elections play Illinois lawmakers divided Chicago into 20 separate voting districts.

One representative from each will be elected by voters in that district to serve on the school board.

Lucky number.

21 is reserved for board.

President will be elected by all Chicago voters and represent the whole city much like the mayor.

2026 marks the one and only time all 21 up for election.

>> That's because 10 seats will be 4 year terms and the other 10 will serve terms.

Those terms will been rotate in future elections.

So just half the board will be up for election once.

And where there are elections, especially in Chicago.

There's also spent lots of it.

It rocked the found.

The group spent 13 million dollars from the 2024 luncheons.

And that was with just 10 seats up for grabs as that number jumps to 21 this year, expect campaign spending to go up up what the races begin.

>> And will be hosting a town hall with all 5 of the candidates running for Chicago Board of Education.

President.

And you're invited.

It's September 15th at 05:30PM, here at R W T Tw Studios.

The event is free, but we need RSVP.

You can do that at W T Tw dot com slash events.

Up next, how local organizations are working to keep students in school.

>> Its UK reporting on Chicago tonight is brought to you in