La Shawn Ford wins 7th District seat as Illinois elects Pritzker

JB Pritzker secures a third term as Illinois governor

Governor JB Pritzker secured a third term on November 3, 2026, becoming the first Democrat in Illinois to win three gubernatorial elections. Pritzker previously won the office in 2018 and 2022. Christian Mitchell is the first Black male lieutenant governor of Illinois.

With 66% of the vote counted as of 9:40 p.m. on November 3, Pritzker held 59.5% of the vote compared to 37.3% for Republican challenger Darren Bailey.

Democrats win control of the U.S. House

NBC News projected that Democrats would win control of the U.S. House of Representatives shortly after 9 p.m. on November 3, 2026.

Chicago residents vote for a new elected school board

Chicago residents voted for a new elected school board on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

Indiana voters lean toward approving education referendums

Voters in six school districts across Northwest Indiana lean toward approving education referendums as of November 4, 2026.

Decatur-Morgan County leaders discuss workforce demands

Superintendents Douglas, Turrentine, and Sutherland joined Presidents Hodges and Wehlburg to address the state of education in the region.

Superintendent Douglas said a key part of his district’s mission involves preparing students for career paths that do not require a college degree. Douglas noted that 40% of students in his district attend college, while the other 60% require preparation for different career paths.

University of California tuition and 12-K education models

Annual costs for new students at University of California campuses reach $54,674 for those living on campus at UC Berkeley, $50,946 at UC Santa Barbara, and $50,130 for those living off-campus at UC Irvine. These figures compare to an average tuition and fee cost of $11,950 at four-year public universities for the 2025–26 academic year, according to the College Board.

Zhou noted that over half of in-state undergraduates at the university pay no tuition and approximately two-thirds graduate without debt.

This model treats 13 grades as a single, coherent path rather than three disconnected academic silos.

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute pilots cyber training

The program operates as part of the Cyber Workforce Accelerator initiative by BCR Cyber. This initiative aims to provide students with industry certification and job placement assistance before graduation.

Columbia College cancels classes for Election Day

Columbia College canceled classes on November 3, 2026, to encourage student participation in the voting process. Mitchell Cremer, a voter registration representative with Columbia Votes, said, "We have to have a say in who is representing us in our government and to not exercise that right is to lose out on bettering your community".

La Shawn Ford campaigned on a platform of protecting homeowners, increasing affordable housing, supporting small businesses and combating gun violence.

Logan Square attorney Aaron Harty expressed concerns regarding whether money generated by Chicago is being effectively used to support local school districts.

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis endorsed Ford as his successor and attended the election watch party to show his support. Veteran Jerry Warren attended the watch party and expressed his hope that Ford would prioritize the issue of homeless veterans in Chicago and the state of Illinois.

Dr. Mayor Brandon Johnson congratulated Ford, stating that the election results sent a message to President Donald Trump and Republicans that the working class is "taking this country back".