District 9 covers the Far Southwest Side and portions of the South and Far South sides. This district encompasses eight primary neighborhoods: Mount Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park, West Pullman, Roseland, Washington Heights, Auburn Gresham and Englewood. However, some households in Ashburn, Chicago Lawn, New City and Grand Crossing fall in District 9 as well.
Here’s what to know about the race in the 9th District. For a look at how the elected school board will work and more on the races in the other districts, click here.
Who’s running?
There are four candidates running in the 9th District: Therese Boyle, Lanetta Thomas, Miquel Lewis and La’Mont Raymond Williams.
How much money has been raised?
In the 9th District, only around $97,800 has been raised among the four candidates through Oct. 21.
Though not much relative to other districts, Boyle has far out-raised her competition in the 9th, with close to $56,000 in her campaign coffers. That’s more than the other three candidates combined: Lewis has raised a little over $27,000, Thomas has collected roughly $14,000 and Williams has seen just shy of $800 in contributions to his campaign.
This does not include independent expenditures.
What are the candidates’ campaign platforms?
Therese Boyle
This candidate did not respond to this questionnaire by the time of publishing.
Lanetta Thomas
What is your background in education?
While I have not worked directly for Chicago Public Schools, I have been deeply involved in education advocacy as a CPS parent and alum. My background in education stems from my extensive work in community activism and my experience in educational leadership. As a former student advocate at CPS, current student advocate at Chicago State University, and current public relations professional, I’ve consistently worked to amplify student voices, address educational disparities, and promote equitable access to resources for all students. My involvement with political campaigns and community-based initiatives has also given me insight into how educational policies impact students and families.
Why are you running for a seat on the Chicago Board of Education?
I am running for the Chicago school board because I believe that every student, regardless of background or neighborhood, deserves access to quality education. As a CPS parent and alum, I have personally experienced the challenges within the system, and I am committed to fighting for equitable funding, safe learning environments, and policies that support the whole student—academically, socially, and emotionally. My goal is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, and that our schools receive the resources they need to provide a high-quality education.
How would you describe your campaign platform?
My campaign platform focuses on several key pillars: equitable funding, amplifying student voices, creating safe and inclusive learning environments, and supporting special education and early childhood learning. I am committed to ensuring that all schools receive fair resource distribution, including fully funding social service teams such as counselors, social workers and nurses to support student well-being. I believe in addressing the current burden on taxpayers, ensuring that their contributions result in well-maintained schools and that funding is used effectively to support both students and staff. By empowering students, advocating for special education services and holding the district accountable for proper school upkeep, I aim to create an environment where every student can succeed, free from discrimination or fear.
What is the single most important issue facing CPS students?
The single most important issue facing CPS students is inequitable funding. Schools in different parts of the city do not receive the same level of resources, which directly affects the quality of education students receive. This funding disparity leads to overcrowded classrooms, a lack of support for diverse learners, and unsafe learning conditions. Addressing this issue is critical to ensuring that every student has the chance to succeed, regardless of where they live.
Provide three to four key points you want voters to know about your campaign.
I am a CPS parent and alum, which gives me firsthand insight into the challenges that students, families, and educators face in our schools every day. I am committed to fighting for equitable funding for all schools, especially in South and West side neighborhoods where underinvestment has left schools and students without the resources they deserve. I will advocate for fully funded special education and early childhood learning programs, along with ensuring that each school has a full social services team—including counselors, social workers, and nurses—to support student success. I am dedicated to holding CPS accountable for using taxpayer funds efficiently, ensuring that schools are properly maintained and that every student can thrive in a safe, inclusive, and well-resourced learning environment.
To read this candidate’s questionnaire in its entirety, click here.
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Miquel Lewis
What is your background in education?
I am a lifelong learner, I am a champion for education and I am an advocate for students and families. Throughout my 26-year career in public service, I have provided mentoring support for hundreds of high-school-age students. I have served as adjunct faculty to undergraduate students at Chicago State University and graduate school students at the Chicago School for Professional Psychology. I have been a site supervisor for graduate school students pursuing advanced degrees in clinical and counseling Psychology.
My support of my children throughout their matriculation through high school served as my formal education to CPS. I was an advocate and champion for education throughout their experience. I gained valuable insights into families’ and students’ experiences with CPS, which revealed to me the need for amplified voices and strong leadership on their behalf.
I have served on the board of directors at the NOBLE Network of Charter Schools since 2017 and as board chairman since 2022, except for during my term as an appointed board member on the CPS Board of Education.
Why are you running for a seat on the Chicago Board of Education?
I am running for a seat on the Chicago public school board to support the education needs of district 9 students. First learning through my own children’s matriculation, I recognize how challenging it is for parents and students to find the right academic environment for their student. I intend to ensure that students have access to high quality education regardless of zip code or academic need and interest.
How would you describe your campaign platform?
My campaign is about ensuring students and families have the right to choose the academic environment that is right for them. It’s about bringing all vested stakeholders to the table to have inclusive policies. It’s about ensuring all students are safe and supported in their academic environment.
What is the single most important issue facing CPS students?
Access to high-quality education in every academic environment is a critically important issue facing CPS students. Some students suffer because their school is not a high-performing school—because they don’t have access to a high-quality education that’s available at selective enrollment, magnet, and some charter schools. They should have this access at their neighborhood school.
Provide three to four key points you want voters to know about your campaign.
My campaign is about students’ access to a high-quality education and amplifying parents’ rights to choose their students’ academic environment. It’s about inclusive policies and safe and supportive school environments.
To read this candidate’s questionnaire in its entirety, click here.
La’Mont Raymond Williams
What is your background in education?
I did not work for CPS. I tutored, mentored, and coached students, including CPS students. I currently coach youth basketball in Evergreen Park, IL and serve as an active chaperone for my niece who attended Wacker Elementary School in the 9th District.
Why are you running for a seat on the Chicago Board of Education?
I am running because our students deserve better. I am running to represent the working-class and middle-class families of the 9th district, families like my own. I am running to uphold the fiduciary duty as a member of the CPS Board to be responsible with taxpayer money. I am running to work tirelessly to mitigate the increasing CPS budget deficit projected to reach over $700 million. I am running because current CPS students suffer the consequences of inadequate funding and inadequate resources, leading to cutting basic services like busing for elementary students and resources for special needs students due to mismanagement. I am running to address the current and growing budget deficit plaguing CPS and to ensure financial stability at CPS. I am running because public education is often the only option for families in the 9th district, and I want to make sure if public education is their only option, it is the BEST option. I am running because I represent nearly 35,000 students, 81.6% of whom are African American and come from working and middle-class families. I am qualified for this unique position, and I am ready to serve on day one.
How would you describe your campaign platform?
My campaign centers around, “our students deserve better.” I am the only independent and qualified candidate in this race as I am not backed by any special interest group or receiving special interest money. I have support from the community, local leadership, including alderpersons and committee persons, and labor. I received this support based on my years of legal and governmental experience and service, my proposed solutions to fix CPS’ problems, and my ability to deliver for our students, parents, teachers, CPS faculty and community.
What is the single most important issue facing CPS students?
The most pressing issue facing CPS and our students is the looming budget crisis facing CPS. Currently, CPS has a projected budget deficit of $505 million, with an increasing likelihood that it will balloon to over $700M. CPS cannot continue to run with a deficit of over $500 million. This looming financial crisis affects every facet of CPS’ ability to fund and provide resources to our students. The looming financial crisis affects whether we can provide for more resources for special education, smaller class sizes, busing and transportation, the Black Student Success Plan, ESL and bilingual staff, needed capital improvements, etc. This affects our credit rating, which affects how we can leverage our short-term and long-term debt. I propose an overall audit of CPS’ budget including an audit of CPS’ debt obligations. Additionally, I propose honest and robust discussions with the City, State, and federal elected officials to implement new and creative revenue streams.
Provide three to four key points you want voters to know about your campaign.
- I am the only candidate with both legal and governmental experience advising, consulting, and working on complex governmental budgets like CPS’ budget.
- I am an independent voice and a critical thinker who runs on serious solutions and not special interest talking points.
- I believe in accountability through transparency and will commit to frequent interaction with the 9th District residents, data, and reports to inform any vote I take.
- I am a proud CPS alum and product of the 9th District who believes CPS is often the only choice for many Chicago families, so let us work to make it the best choice.
To read this candidate’s questionnaire in its entirety, click here.
The candidates’ responses shown here have been edited for length, style and clarity.