Ethics & Political Activities

In this video, learn what political activities are and how to navigate the grey area between allowed and prohibited activities in a school setting and beyond.

Political Activity One Pager [ English | SPANISH ]

Political Activity in an Election Season

Officials and employees of the Chicago Board of Education (Board) are entitled to engage in political activities as individuals in their personal time. However, political activities must not result in the misuse of Board personnel, time, property, or resources or create an impression that the Board supports particular candidates.

The Code of Ethics is meant to preserve the independence of the school system and avoid any appearance of impropriety. Violations of the Code of Ethics can result in disciplinary action, including dismissal for Board employees. The Code of Ethics, guidelines, and questions and answers can be found on the CPS ethics webpage.

Permitted Activities

When not on Board time or property or using Board resources, employees are allowed to engage in political activities, which include the following:

Campaigning for a candidate or regarding a question on the ballot.
Making or soliciting campaign contributions.
Organizing, hosting, or attending political rallies or meetings.
Assisting a candidate on election day or recounts.

Employees may serve as election judges or election coordinators, provided employees complete a Secondary Employment Approval Form, get it signed by the appropriate person, and submit it to ethicsinquiries@cps.edu

Prohibited Activities

Employees are NOT permitted to engage in prohibited activities, which include the following:

Engaging in political activity on Board time (during work hours) or by using Board resources including computers, cps.edu email addresses, or contact information obtained by working for CPS.
Soliciting petition signatures on Board property.
Requiring another employee to engage in political activity.
Accepting or offering benefits for political participation.
Denying a person employment or tenure because of their support for a candidate.
Using one’s Board position to engage in political activity.
Recruiting students to support a candidate or position on a referendum.

Use of Board Property:

Candidates and campaigns must be treated the same as other organizations seeking a license for the use of Board property. Board property includes school and office buildings, parking lots, playgrounds, etc.
Candidates can be denied access to Board property, but only for the same reasons as any other organization.
Any filming requires a specific agreement with the Board.

Social Media

When not on Board or work time, personal social media accounts may be used to engage in Political Activity such as encouraging others to vote for a candidate or support a referendum. No CPS or CPS-affiliated social media accounts may be used to engage in Political Activities.

School Events

All members of the public, including candidates for elective office, are welcome to attend school events that are open to the public, but they cannot campaign during public school events. Employees cannot endorse any candidate for elective office or referendum at a public school event.

Civics Instruction

Student instruction must aim to be neutral by providing diverse perspectives. Learning activities should elevate and examine students’ perspectives without establishing any particular viewpoint.

Political Use of Board Property

Candidates and campaigns must seek a license for using Board property. Candidates can be denied access, but only for the same reasons as any other organization. Any filming on Board property requires a specific agreement with the Board.

Consequences

Violations of the Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action up through discharge for employees and removal from office for officials.

Definitions

Used to describe any activity in support of or in connection with any campaign for elective office or any political organization or referendum, but does not include activities that are:

The support or opposition of any executive, legislative, or administrative action (as those terms are defined in Section 2 of the Lobbyist Registration Act)
Anything related to collective bargaining
That which is otherwise in furtherance of the person’s official duties or governmental and public service functions

“Political Activity” or “Political Activities” means any of the following:

Preparing for, organizing, or participating in any political meeting, political rally, political demonstration, or other political event
Soliciting contributions, including but not limited to, selling, distributing, or receiving payment for tickets for any political fundraiser, political meeting, or other political event
Purchasing tickets for any political fundraiser, political meeting, or other political event
Planning the solicitation of campaign contributions
Preparing any document or report regarding campaign contributions
Planning, conducting, or participating in a public opinion poll or survey in connection with a Campaign for Elective Office, on behalf of a political organization, or for or against any referendum question
Assisting at the polls on Election Day on behalf of any political organization, Candidate for Elective Office, or for or against any referendum question
Soliciting votes on behalf of a Candidate for Elective Office, political organization, or for or against any referendum question or helping in an effort to get voters to the polls
Initiating, preparing, circulating, reviewing, or filing any petition on behalf of a Candidate for Elective Office or for or against any referendum question
Making contributions to any Candidate for Elective Office
Preparing or reviewing responses to candidate questionnaires in connection with a Campaign for Elective Office or on behalf of a political organization
Distributing, preparing for distribution, or mailing campaign literature, campaign signs, or other campaign material on behalf of any Candidate for Elective Office or for or against any referendum question
Campaigning for any Elective Office or for or against any referendum question
Managing or working on a Campaign for Elective Office or for or against any referendum question
Serving as a delegate, alternate, or proxy to a political party convention

Additional Resources

Please review the complete Code of Ethics at cps.edu/ethics and the CPS Code of Ethics Guidelines
Check out our one-pager on Political Activity in an Election Season
Access additional guidelines and FAQ guidance for high school and middle school Participate Civics curriculum