Here’s what to know about the race in District 10A, including the candidates and their campaign platforms.
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The district
District 10A stretches across the lakefront on the South Side, covering parts of Douglas, Oakland, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Greater Grand Crossing, Chatham, South Shore and South Chicago. By racial demographics, the population is approximately 76% Black, 11% white, 6% Asian and 4% Hispanic.
The district boasts 31 schools in all, with personalized learning, performing arts and world language programs for elementary students and a variety of neighborhood, citywide and charter options for high school, including one selective enrollment high school, King College Prep.
The school board member currently representing District 10 is Che “Rhymefest” Smith, who was elected by voters in the 10th District in 2024.
The candidates
Incumbent Che “Rhymefest” Smith is running unopposed on the ballot in District 10A. Smith is a Grammy-winning rapper.
Tameka Walton, a nonprofit director, is running as a write-in candidate.
Che “Rhymefest” Smith
The candidate did not respond to the Tribune’s questionnaire.
Tameka Walton
What are your top three priorities if elected?
- Fully funding and strengthening neighborhood schools.
- Expanding student support, including mental health, special education, after-school programs and career pathways.
- Empowering local school councils with the resources, training and meaningful voice needed to shape decisions and hold Chicago Public Schools accountable.
Do you support continuing the moratorium on school closings? YES / NO
School closings destabilize communities and disproportionately harm Black and brown students. I support investing in neighborhood schools and working with families, educators and local school councils to address enrollment and resource challenges, not closing schools without meaningful community input.
Do you support the Chicago Board of Education’s decision this summer to budget an additional $150 million in state funding to reverse layoffs and prevent a spending freeze? YES / NO
I support reversing layoffs and preventing cuts that would harm students. I also believe CPS must budget responsibly, advocate aggressively for the state funding it is owed, identify contingency plans and provide transparent updates so families and employees are not left facing sudden disruptions.
Should Chicago Public Schools continue raising its property tax levy to the legal limit? YES / NO
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The burden should not fall on property tax owners who already are shouldered with so much financial stress from the federal government’s own actions. Working class families are struggling to meet their basic needs.