Johnson Picks Vélez for Chicago School Board on Eve of Tight Budget Vote

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has named diversity, equity and inclusion consultant Ángel Vélez to the Chicago Board of Education, filling a South Side seat vacant since June. Vélez, who holds a doctorate in education policy and whose child attends a district school, is expected to be sworn in at Thursday’s board meeting. The appointment lands hours before the board is due to vote on a budget for Chicago Public Schools’ fiscal year that begins Sept. 1. District officials have been grappling with a projected $734 million shortfall and a contentious proposal to include a $175 million municipal pension payment for non-teacher staff. Johnson supports making the payment, arguing it is needed to close the district’s books without pushing costs into future years. A simple majority of the 21-member hybrid board can approve the package, with the president voting only to break ties. Although most of the mayor’s current allies have signaled support for the plan, Vélez’s appointment provides an additional vote as the administration seeks to secure funding while avoiding deeper program cuts or new borrowing.