Jessica Biggs Launches Campaign for Chicago Public Schools Board President (Chicago, IL) – Chicago Public Schools Board Member Jessica Biggs announced Monday that she is launching a campaign for Board President, positioning herself as a unifying leader focused on students and families across the city.
Biggs, a longtime educator, community organizer and CPS parent, said the district is at a pivotal moment and called for leadership that prioritizes students over political divisions.
“CPS is at a crossroads, and our families deserve leadership that will put their needs before petty politics,” Biggs said. “As president, I will focus on what matters—fighting to make sure every Chicago kid has access to a great school in their neighborhood.”
Biggs emphasized her track record as both an advocate and a “bridge builder,” citing her two decades of work in education and community organizing, along with her tenure on the school board during a period she described as “chaotic.”
Her campaign launched with a slate of endorsements from prominent local leaders, including former CPS CEO Dr. Janice Jackson, Ald. Pat Dowell, Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, State Rep. Nick Smith, and State Sen. Mattie Hunter. She also secured support from 1st Ward Democratic Committeewoman Laura Yepez and fellow CPS Board Members Carlos Rivas Jr., Therese Boyle and Dr. Che “Rhymefest” Smith.
Jackson praised Biggs’ leadership and commitment to equity. “She is the leader who can bring us together,” Jackson said, citing Biggs’ work in education and community advocacy.
Biggs was elected in November 2024 to represent the 6th CPS Board District, earning nearly 45% of the vote in a three-way race. Her district includes South Loop, Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Washington Park, Woodlawn and Park Manor.
Outside her role on the board, Biggs serves as Director of Healthy Southwest at the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), where she has led collaborative efforts with community organizations, healthcare providers and city agencies to expand access to care and resources.
Her background in education includes teaching special education in Oakland, California, and serving as principal at Canter Middle School in Hyde Park and Edmund Burke Elementary School in Washington Park. She holds a master’s degree in school leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Biggs lives in Bronzeville with her husband, Earl Grandberry, and their family.
Her campaign said additional details and policy priorities will be shared in the coming weeks.
Jessica Biggs Launches Campaign for Chicago Public Schools Board President
