Ellen Rosenfeld Seeks Re-election to Chicago School Board District 4b

Ellen Rosenfeld faces no opposition in District 4b school board race

Ellen Rosenfeld will remain the sole candidate for Chicago Public Schools District 4b in the upcoming election, WBEZ reported. The former teacher and district engagement specialist is running unopposed to retain the North Side seat she secured in 2024, a victory that followed a crowded and expensive contest against five other candidates.

The district, which encompasses neighborhoods including Lincoln Park, North Center, Lakeview, and Logan Square, serves as a critical battleground for the future of Chicago’s educational governance. Rosenfeld has spent the last two years making her role on the board a full-time commitment after transitioning from her position with CPS Family and Community Engagement.

The political landscape of the school board has shifted significantly as the city moves toward a fully elected model. Rosenfeld is currently part of a seven-member block of elected officials who have frequently stood in opposition to the mayor’s appointees and elected allies, who currently hold a majority on the board.

Demographics and academic performance in District 4b

The makeup of District 4b reflects a distinct demographic profile compared to the broader Chicago Public Schools system. According to data compiled by Chalkbeat, the district features a significantly higher percentage of white students than the citywide average. The student population in this district is approximately 46% white, 25% Hispanic, 12% Black, and 9% Asian American.

Academic metrics also distinguish this area. District 4b holds the highest share of schools in the city that earned the state’s “exemplary” rating for academic performance last year. The district includes 18 schools, ranging from high-performing neighborhood institutions to coveted magnet programs and Lane Tech College Prep, a popular selective-enrollment high school.

Because of the high concentration of successful neighborhood schools, families in these North Side communities tend to choose local options at higher rates than in other school board districts. This local engagement has historically shaped the political pressures facing board members representing the area.

Political backing and the push for a shared vision

While Rosenfeld is the only name on the ballot, her campaign has maintained significant momentum. As of last week, she had received approximately $100,000 in campaign contributions, most of which came from individual donors.

Her candidacy is supported by the Service Employees International Union Illinois State Council, which represents CPS support staff. This backing places her in a complex position relative to the Chicago Teachers Union, the mayor’s former employer and a powerful ally in city politics. Rosenfeld has previously faced opposition from pro-school choice groups that spent heavily to challenge her in the 2024 race.

Rosenfeld, a former Local School Council chair and mother of four CPS graduates, has argued that the current board has become too susceptible to outside pressure and political maneuvering. She believes the transition to a fully elected board offers an opportunity for an academic resurgence, citing recent improvements in reading proficiency and a decrease in chronic absenteeism as indicators of potential.

“Without a shared vision, it’s almost impossible to get the good stuff done,” Rosenfeld said.

She maintains that the next iteration of the board must move past political infighting to rally around specific, measurable goals for district-wide improvement.