Election Central
CTPF will hold elections for two Teacher Trustees to serve three-year terms from November 2026 – November 2029.
- Candidate Eligibility
A candidate for Teacher Trustee must:
- Be a CTPF member, other than a Principal/Administrator, as defined by the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS5/17-106);
- Have been assigned on a regular certificate for at least 10 years in the Chicago Public Schools or Charter schools within District 299 (this includes anyone who is licensed and has worked in the Chicago Public Schools or Charter Schools for at least 10 years on a regular certificate, including as a substitute); and
- Be nominated by a petition signed by at least 200 contributors who are not Principal/Administrators, as provided in 40 ILCS 5/17- 139(1).
- Eligibility Criteria for Voters
Teachers who are not administrators shall be eligible to vote for Teacher Trustees in accordance with Sections 17-138 and 139. Every member must have obtained that voter eligibility status on or before October 1, 2026.
- Candidate Nomination Packets
Nomination packets are available starting April 1, 2026. To request a packet, contact the Election Coordinator at elections@ctpf.org. Signatures may be collected with paper petitions, the online digital collection system developed by the Election Agent, or a combination of both methods. Nominating petitions may not be altered or changed in any way. Do not add photos or additional information to nominating petitions.
Submitting Completed Nomination Packets
A Teacher Trustee candidate’s signed nomination petition(s), resume, and photo, must be received by the Election Coordinator or his/her designee, on behalf of the Recording Secretary, by U.S. Mail, email, or facsimile on or after September 15, 2026, but no later than October 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (CT).
The Fund reserves the right to request a candidate’s original nomination petitions. Nominating petitions, resumes, and photos received after the deadline will not be accepted.
Petition Delivery
To expedite the processing of petitions, CTPF encourages emailing petitions to elections@ctpf.org in PDF format or faxing petitions to 312-641-7185. Candidates who choose to drop your petitions off in person must notify the Election Coordinator in advance so their name can be added to the visitors’ list. A valid government-issued ID is required at the front desk of the 425 S. Financial Place building before proceeding upstairs to drop off petitions.
Valid Digital Signature Submission
Validated digital signatures submitted online before October 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (CT) will automatically be sent to CTPF.Candidate Resume and Photo
Teachers who are not administrators shall be eligible to vote for Teacher Trustees in accordance with Sections 17-138 and 139. Every member must have obtained that voter eligibility status on or before October 1, 2026.A candidate resume and photo must be submitted to the Election Coordinator or his/her designee, on behalf of the Recording Secretary, via email at elections@ctpf.org, by October 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (CT).
- Voting
All eligible voters will receive a unique voter identification number by mail and, if available, by email. Online voting opens the day materials are mailed, the week of October 12, 2026. Voting closes on November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (CT).
- 2026 Printing and Mailing Information
In accordance with the CTPF Election Policy, the Fund provides a list of pre-approved print/mail vendors which candidates or their sponsoring organizations may use to distribute campaign materials.
Click here for a list of approved vendors and mailing information.
- Pension Representative Information
Pension Representatives (Pension Reps) provide a valuable link between schools and CTPF and we appreciate your assistance throughout the year. CTPF will distribute election materials in schools and will provide digital tool kits to Pension Representatives.
2026 Credentials Form - All Pension Reps must have a 2026 Credentials Form on file to receive a stipend for the 2026-2027 year.
2026 Digital Election Poster – CTPF sends posters to schools and provides digital versions. If you have a way to distribute the PDF to your colleagues, please download and share.
Pension Rep Webinars
All Pension Reps must participate in an online webinar which will provide information about the 2026 Trustee Election. If you attend a webinar AND an election is held, you are eligible for a $100 stipend. If you attend the webinar, but the election is cancelled, you will be eligible for a $50 stipend.Webinars will be posted online after the live presentations. Webinar dates and times will be added to the CTPF Calendar as they are scheduled.
- Schedule of Election Events
April 1, 2026 Nomination packets available. September 15, 2026 Last day to request nomination packets. Packets must be requested by 5:00 p.m. (CT). September 15, 2026 First day for Teacher Trustee candidates to submit completed nomination petitions. October 1, 2026 Last day to submit a nomination packet. Packets due to CTPF at 5:00 p.m. (CT). Week of October 12, 2026 Election materials mailed and online voting available November 6, 2026 Voting closes for all elections at 5:00 p.m. (CT). November 19, 2026 Trustees sworn in during CTPF Board of Trustees meeting. - 2025 Election Policy
- Campaign Activities
No intentional campaign activity by anyone, including but not limited to Trustees, employees, trustee candidates, or sponsoring organizations, is permitted on Fund property, including any space rented, leased, or otherwise used for a Fund event. The Fund may provide a designated area that is part of the property being rented, leased, or otherwise used by the Fund where campaign activity may be conducted by any person or organization. A list of events with designated space for campaign activities (if any) will be posted on the CTPF Calendar.