Campaign Email Scandal Looms Over Chicago

In a contentious chapter for Chicago politics, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign came under fire for sending emails to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) staff to recruit student volunteers. The district’s inspector general noted this breached CPS’ ethics policy, raising concerns as the city transitions to an elected school board. Despite a lack of evidence indicating coordination between CPS staff and Lightfoot’s campaign, the interim CPS Inspector General, Amber Nesbitt, emphasized the need for current and future campaigns to adhere strictly to ethical guidelines.

The report highlighted that Lightfoot's office sent out thousands of emails in a bid to rally student involvement, a move that has sparked a debate about ethical boundaries and potential coercion in the educational environment. While Lightfoot’s spokeswoman contended that the campaign adhered to all records requests and did not intentionally violate norms, the incident sheds light on the pressure CPS staff might feel under political influence.

The inspector general’s findings also called for legislators and school board members to commit formally to ethical practices, even as Lightfoot’s office downplayed the incident’s impact. As CPS officials prepare to navigate these new waters, the focus shifts to ensuring transparency and preventing future ethical missteps. With training and guidance becoming focal points, the goal is to insulate educational administration from political campaign strategies. Lightfoot's case serves as a crucial lesson in scrutinizing the intersection of politics and public education, ensuring ethics remain at the forefront of governance.

Source: Wbez education, 2025