Here’s what to know about the race in District 10B, including the candidates and their campaign platforms.
The district
District 10B sits on Chicago’s Far South Side, covering Hegewisch, Riverdale, East Side, South Deering, Pullman, Burnside and Calumet Heights, plus parts of South Chicago, South Shore, Greater Grand Crossing, Chatham and Roseland. By racial demographics, the population is approximately 67% Black, 26% Hispanic, 5% white and 0.25% Asian.
The district boasts 43 elementary schools — more than any other district. Among them are two scholastic academies, a regional gifted center, fine and performing arts schools, one language academy and two classical schools. For high school students, there are six charter schools in addition to eight district-run neighborhood and city-wide schools, including South Shore International College Prep, one of the 11 selective enrollment high schools in the city.
The school board member currently representing District 10B is Connie Anderson, appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson
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in August 2026.The candidates
Two candidates are running in District 10B: Incumbent Connie Anderson and her challenger, Patrick Watson.
Anderson is a paralegal. Watson is an aide for Ald. Anthony Beale.
Connie Anderson
What are your top three priorities if elected?
- Fully-funded schools.
- Sustainable schools.
- Special education (paraprofessionals, therapists, nurses and case managers).
Do you support continuing the moratorium on school closings? YES / NO
No explanation provided.
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
No explanation provided.
Should Chicago Public Schools continue raising its property tax levy to the legal limit? YES / NO
CPS needs sustainable funding, but raising the property tax levy to the legal limit should not be automatic. Any increase must be tied to student needs, accountability and measurable results. We must also pursue state funding, TIF (tax increment financing) resources and other revenue so Chicago homeowners aren’t asked to carry the burden alone.
Patrick Watson
What are your top three priorities if elected?
- The district’s financial instability.
- Ensuring students and teachers have the resources needed for a successful academic experience.
- Nutrition and safety.
Do you support continuing the moratorium on school closings? YES / NO
I believe continuing the moratorium is eliminating an option to address the budget issue the district is currently facing.
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
It was based on an assumption that may not avoid the very thing the money was supposed to avoid.
Should Chicago Public Schools continue raising its property tax levy to the legal limit? YES / NO
CPS needs to find ways to curb unnecessary spending and be more efficient with what they have before looking to raise taxes again.
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