INCS Action Candidates Claim Victory in Chicago’s Election Runoff
Charter Household Voting Strength Proves Decisive
INCS Action’s electoral work paved the way for six additional aldermanic victories last night, proving that the Chicago charter public school community is a formidable electoral block.
INCS Action, the political and advocacy arm of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS), endorsed aldermanic candidates who embrace equal educational opportunities for all students and who understand that charter public schools continue to lead the way in preparing students for college, particularly students in underserved communities.
“INCS Action stood with aldermanic candidates who put students’ interests at the center of their policy making,” said Andrew Broy, president of INCS Action. “We are proud to continue our work of ensuring all students have access to a public school that educates them and prepares them for life beyond the classroom.”
The 2019 municipal election effort was INCS Action’s largest to date, as the organization mobilized thousands of charter households across the city. INCS Action’s canvass operation—staffed principally by charter alumni and parents—made the difference in several wards, including 31, 30, and 16.
“Parents want quality educational opportunities for their children, and they understand that charter schools have greater high school graduation rates, college enrollment and persistence,” said Broy. “Yesterday’s election was critical to the more than 64,000 families whose children directly benefit from a charter public school education.”
Ten of INCS Action’s 13 endorsed candidates claimed a victory during the municipal election cycle. They are:
- Walter Burnett Jr., Ward 27
- Emma Mitts, Ward 37
- Carrie Austin, Ward 34
- Michael Scott Jr., Ward 24
- Howard Brookins Jr., Ward 21
- Ariel E. Reboyras, Ward 30
- Raymond Lopez, Ward 15
- Stephanie Coleman, Ward 16
- Felix Cardona, Ward 31
- Samantha Nugent, ward 39
Joe Moore (Ward 49), Pat O’Connor (Ward 40), and Alex Acevedo (Ward 25) lost their races. Politically active in state elections since 2014, INCS Action was an active participant in the 2018 state legislative primary cycle, where 13 of the 15 candidates it endorsed won.
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INCS Action is a 501(c)(4) organization focused on engaging the charter school community in the legislative and political process, growing the coalition of charter school supporters and activists and educating Illinois public officials on the impact of charter public schools.
For more information, contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper
Director of Communication, INCS Action
312-690-2703 | melissa@incsaction.org
