RUNNING AN LSC CAMPAIGN
UPDATE 10.30: CPS email screenshot. "The deadline to submit the Candidate Literature for all parent and community representatives and for the teacher and non-teacher staff representatives has been extended to noon on November 4th. Principals will get it posted by November 6th."
UPDATE 10.29: We’re excited to share our latest toolkits designed to support CPS parents and caregivers, community and school communities through the Local School Council (LSC) election process. The aim is to consolidate useful information for your use. Let us know if you have any questions/suggestions.
Research your school’s 2018 LSC election results
- Who ran in 2018? How many votes did each of them get?
- 2018 LSC Election Results
Build your campaign team!
- Think about your friends, volunteers, and neighbors who share your values. Bring along the folks who you trust to give sound advice and can help plan/win your campaign.
- What roles can they serve? Use this template to guide your thinking
Create campaign literature for both the school and the community
- Campaign literature example (parent)
- Campaign literature example version 1 (2 slates)
- Campaign literature example version 2 (all together)
IMPORTANT DATES FOR LSC CANDIDATES
UPDATE 11.11:
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights blog: Everything You Need to Know About Chicago's Local School Council Elections
CPS’ LSC Elections FAQ (published on or around Nov 9): English | Spanish
UPDATE 10.29: Press release on LSC Elections, Oct 21: English | Spanish
UPDATE 10.30: CPS email screenshot. "The deadline to submit the Candidate Literature for all parent and community representatives and for the teacher and non-teacher staff representatives has been extended to noon on November 4th. Principals will get it posted by November 6th."
The CPS LSC Elections webpage was updated to reflect the changed dates on Fri, Sept 18, 2020.
- Deadline to file LSC candidate forms at your school - Friday, October 2 by 3:00 pm
File LSC candidate forms in person at the school you intend to serve. *Bring two forms of ID.
- Principal will post the final list of candidate for LSC 2020 -
This will include posting all LSC candidate statements on a public bulletin at the school
- Deadline to submit LSC Election Judge applications - October 6 by 3:00pm
Download election judge applications here
- Deadline to challenge a candidate prior to the election -
Pre-Election Challenge Petition
- Deadline to Set Candidate Public Forums Date (*Set by LSC/Principal) -
- Deadline to request language interpreters or accommodations -
Notify the school for sign/language interpreter or other accommodations at the forum.
- School Candidate Forums Held Virtually Week of October 19-30
A candidate forum is a public event where candidates running for office are invited to express their positions on the issues.
This is a great way to engage your voters and community around an upcoming LSC election.
Draft and practice a 60-second stump speech: Who are you? Why are you running? Why should I vote for you?
- Deadline to deliver Campaign Literature - Th, Oct 29, Noon. Screenshot of email sent Tues, Oct 27.
Deliver your literature to the school.
Your literature can be one 8 ½ x 11 sheet on both sides.
You have to divide the literature into packets for each class. Find out from the school how many classes there are and how many pieces of literature you need for each class.
Campaign literature example (parent)
Campaign literature example (slate)
- Campaign Literature Distribution Day -
Candidate Literature Distribution Day for All Candidates. Principal to send parent and community representative candidates’ literature home with students.
- Elementary Election Day & Report Card Pickup - Wednesday, November 18
Confirm the report card pickup hours because that is when most of the parents will be coming to the school. Any parent or resident of the school attendance area can vote! You do not have to be a citizen or a registered voter.
- High School Election Day & Report Card Pickup - Thursday, November 19
Confirm the report card pickup hours because that is when most of the parents will be coming to the school. Any parent or resident of the school attendance area can vote! You do not have to be a citizen or a registered voter.
Chalkbeat Chicago, Sept 22: Chicago’s school council elections are around the corner. Here’s your guide
VIDEO: Winning Your Race: LSC Elections at LSC Summit 2020
LSC Summit hosted by LSCs 4 All Coalition, January 25, 2020
Session leaders: Marc Kaplan, Northside Action for Justice and Moy Moreno, Pilsen Alliance
Program session contextualizing the dangers of vacancies, strategies for how to win.