Angel Gutierrez: an Independent Voice for the Chicago Board of Education

Opinion

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

With so much attention focused on the presidential race, it’s easy to (almost) forget that there are other contests on the ballot this November.

One of those is the race for the Chicago Board of Education.

For decades, the CBOE members were appointed by the mayor. And for decades, some activists (most notably the Chicago Teachers Union) demanded that Chicago switch to a school board elected by voters—like every other school district in Illinois.

Well, now it’s here, for better or worse.

The city has been carved into 10 school board districts. Much of the Southwest Side is in CBOE’s 8th District.

The district map looks crazy, like something was fishy with whoever drew it. Look for yourself by clicking this link for the citywide map and this link for the CBOE’s 8th District.

Anyway, the new system will still be rigged in the mayor’s favor—10 members will be elected by voters, but 10 other members will be appointed by the mayor.

And this is apparently just fine with the Chicago Teachers Union, since they unquestionably control Mayor Brandon Johnson.

But just to ensure that CTU controls the new Board of Education, they are running a slate of candidates in districts across the city—and they are funding them heavily.

All members of the new Chicago Board of Education will serve two-year terms starting Jan. 15, 2025.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. But early voting in all 50 wards starts Tuesday, Oct. 21. For details, visit chicagoelections.gov.

OK, so…

The new Chicago Board of Education will undoubtedly be controlled by the CTU. If you like that, please vote for the CTU/Brandon Johnson-backed candidate in your district. To learn more and even see a sample ballot for where you live, visit chicagoelections.gov.

But if you want there to be at least a few independent voices on the board—voices not under CTU/Brandon Johnson control—then vote otherwise.

In CBOE’s 8th District, that independent voice belongs to Angel Gutierrez.

Angel Gutierrez

Angel grew up in Pilsen and later Chicago Lawn. He attended the old Quigley South High School, where he excelled in sports and was a leader in student government. He graduated in 1990. He briefly was a seminarian considering the priesthood. But life took him in a different direction, and today he is the married father of two.

In his professional life, he built a track record of public service and success, most notably with Catholic Charities.

According to his campaign biography he “currently works as a consultant helping nonprofits with operation, governance fundraising, and strategic planning issues. In his most recent roles as the head of fundraising at Chicago Hope Academy High School and Catholic Charities, Angel and his teams raised over $117 million to support the work of both nonprofits. He has also served as the co-chair of the Nuestro Futuro Fund at the Chicago Community Trust, awarding $3.1 million in grants to over 70 non-profits.”

Endorsed by SW Side leader Al Cacciottolo

In a phone conversation, Angel told me he decided to run for the new CBOE when he saw his latest tax bill. I know what he means, as do thousands of other Southwest Siders. You see taxes going up, up, up and you wonder, “For what, exactly?”

He describes himself as “the type of guy who can bring people together.” He also told me he'd like to bring a CPS trade school to the area, as well as more pre-K availability to meet the demands of a young and growing community.

Angel has the support of a number of Southwest Side elected officials and other community leaders.

Anyway, please check out his website, angelforchange.com.

Angel Gutierrez has my vote, and I hope yours.

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