—Barrington Williams, B1Daily

Chicago’s public school system has long been a battleground of political influence, but a new wave of organized maneuvering has shifted the balance of power, quietly, effectively, and with precision.

Over the past five years, Latino advocacy groups, educators, and political operatives have executed a calculated campaign to place their own into key decision-making positions, fundamentally altering the landscape of CPS governance.

The Playbook: Entryism by Another Name

Unlike overt power grabs, this effort has been subtle, relying on three key tactics:

1. Grassroots Mobilization: Latino organizations have aggressively encouraged qualified candidates to run for local school councils (LSCs), leveraging deep community ties to secure wins in traditionally Black or White-dominated districts.

2. Political Backing: Progressive-aligned Latino politicians have funneled endorsements, funding, and logistical support to sympathetic candidates, ensuring they outmaneuver less-connected opponents.

3. Administrative Stacking: Once inside, Latino appointees have pushed for bilingual education expansions and funding reallocations that benefit heavily Hispanic schools, effectively redirecting resources while framing it as “equity.”

The Results: A Board Transformed

In 2018, only two of Chicago’s Board of Education members were Latino. Today, that number has surged to five, nearly half, despite Latinos making up just 29% of the city’s population. Meanwhile, Black representation has plummeted from four seats to one, sparking accusations of ethnic displacement.

Pushback Brewing

Black aldermen and activists have begun calling foul, arguing that Latino political blocs are exploiting demographic shifts to monopolize institutional power. “This isn’t diversity, it’s colonization,” said one West Side community organizer anonymously. “They talk equity, but they’re playing the same game the old machine did.”

Yet Latino leaders counter that their ascent is overdue. “For decades, our schools were ignored,” said Board Member Alicia Rojas. “Now we’re finally ensuring our kids get what they deserve.”

Is this representation or replacement? Chicago’s school wars are far from over.

—Barrington Williams, B1Daily