Sangamon Digest

Four super PACs — Common Ground Collective, the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, Urban Center and Brighter Futures — have spent at least $3.5 million since July 15 on Chicago’s school board elections, enough to lift state spending limits in 12 of 21 races, Chalkbeat Chicago reports. Nearly all of Common Ground’s recent donations came from billionaire Michael Sacks, and the charter network says it is putting up to $4 million into the races.

The Chicago Teachers Union, which outspent everyone in 2024, has not yet matched its opponents; its chief of staff said the union will focus on field work and isn’t in “a spending arms race with billionaires.” Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting is underway.