Here’s what to know about the race in District 5A, including the candidates and their campaign platforms.
The district
District 5A is located on the West Side of Chicago, primarily covering Austin, but also touching portions of Belmont Cragin, Humboldt Park, Montclare and West Town. By racial demographics, the population is approximately 59% Black, 26% Hispanic, 13% white and 1% Asian.
The district boasts 36 schools in all, with more than two dozen elementary schools and eight high schools, including neighborhood schools, magnet schools and charter options, providing an array of choices for students and parents.
The school board member currently representing District 5A is Aaron “Jitu” Brown, who was elected by voters in 2024 after being the sole name on the ballot in the 5th District.
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The candidates
Two candidates are running in District 5A: Incumbent Aaron “Jitu” Brown and his challenger, LaPamela Williams.
Brown is a longtime community organizer. Williams is a realtor.
Aaron “Jitu” Brown
What are your top three priorities if elected?
- Responsibly expanding the sustainable community schools model.
- Ensuring equitable access to early childhood education for families.
- Securing equitable funding from the state of Illinois.
Do you support continuing the moratorium on school closings? YES / NO
We have seen the data behind school closings and the impact it has on our students, their families and our communities. School closings do not meet the objectives they claim to meet. We must find and implement a better way that serves the students instead of just leaving them displaced.
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
Taking away more resources and more educators from our students is not in their best interest. We cannot afford to move backward by pretending that fewer teachers and less resources produces better results. Students deserve to have more investment in their outcomes not less.
Should Chicago Public Schools continue raising its property tax levy to the legal limit? YES / NO
I do not want to create more burdens for the working class by increasing their taxes, and I do not want to cause layoffs and school closures. I would fight hard to exhaust every avenue to prevent both of these outcomes. I cannot say I am in favor of imposing the maximum property tax levy allowed by the board.
LaPamela Williams
The candidate did not respond to the Tribune’s questionnaire.