Other Chicago Governmental Entities
Chicago Governmental Entities (also known as Chicago Sister Agencies) provide important services to the people of Chicago. They have their own Boards and budgets. Some can levy taxes for providing their services.
City Colleges of Chicago (CCC)
Summary: City Colleges of Chicago are a group of seven colleges and five satellite institutions offering associate degrees and certificates.
Established: 1911.
Governed by: The Community Colleges District Board of Trustees consists of seven members nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the Chicago City Council plus a non-voting student member elected by students. Board members serve 3-year terms.
Budget (2024): $521 million.
Funding: State and federal grants, tuition/fees; Chicago property taxes for capital projects.
Facts:
Founded as part of the junior college/community college movement
Serve 60,000+ students
Offer free GED and ESL classes
The Board has the power to levy property taxes
Chicago Board of Elections (CBOE)
Summary: The Chicago Board of Elections is charged with administering a transparent, accurate, and impartial election system within the City of Chicago.
Established: Late 1880s
Governed by: A 3-member Board is appointed by the Cook County Circuit Court. Members serve staggered 3-year terms.
Budget (2024): $60.9 million. The City of Chicago provides $34.5 million, and Cook County provides $26.4 million.
Funding: Funding and funding sources depend on whether and which elections are held that year.
Facts:
The Board includes at least one member from the leading political parties in Illinois (currently, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party)
The Board hires the Executive Director, to whom all employees report.
Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)
Summary: Municipal corporation that secures housing for low-income or vulnerable residents.
Established: 1937
Governed by: Board of ten commissioners nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the Chicago City Council. At least three commissioners must be residents of CHA housing. Commissioners serve 5-year terms.
Budget (2024): $1.3 billion
Funding: US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Section 8 funds.
Facts:
Created during the Great Depression and the New Deal programs.
Currently serves more than 65,000 households in Chicago.
Oversees 20,000 of the above housing units and supports the rest by vouchers.
Chicago Public Library (CPL)
Summary: The Chicago Public Library network of 81 public libraries includes a central library, three regional libraries, and branches in 77 community areas.
Established: 1873
Governed by: Board of Directors nominated by the mayor, confirmed by the City Council. The nine directors serve staggered 3-year terms.
Budget (2024): $117 million
Funding: The City of Chicago. Independently, Chicago Public Library Foundation sponsors Section 501(c)(3) programs at the Public Library. The Foundation’s contribution is not included in the 2024 budget.
Facts:
Biggest provider of free WiFi in Chicago
Chicago Park District
Summary: The Chicago Park District manages Chicago’s public parks.
Established: 1934
Governed by: The Board of seven commissioners is appointed by the mayor of Chicago and approved by the Chicago City Council. Commissioners hire the General Superintendent/CEO. Commissioners serve 5-year terms, pro bono.
Budget (2024): $574.4 million
Funding: Property taxes, managed assets, fees, and other sources
Facts:
Chicago public parks extend over 8,800+ acres of open space
600+ parks
26 miles of lakefront
240+ field houses
2 conservatories (Garfield and Lincoln Park)
Owns Soldier Field
Board has the power to levy property taxes
Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
Summary: Chicago Public Schools educate students pre-K through 12th grade.
Established: First Chicago school superintendent hired in 1854, Chicago Board of Education created in 1872.
Governed by: Board of Education
2023-2024, Board consisted of seven members appointed by the mayor.
January 1, 2025, through December 2026, Board consists of 21 members.
> One member elected (Nov. 5, 2024) in each of 10 districts
> One member appointed by the Mayor in each of 10 districts
> President of the Board appointed by the mayor
January, 1, 2027, all 20 Board members are elected.
> All 20 Board members (two in each of 10 districts) elected Nov. 2026
> Board president elected Nov. 2026 in a city-wide election
Budget (2023-2024 school year): $9.4 billion
Funding: Property taxes, state and federal funds.
Facts:
In the 2023-2024 school year, CPS oversaw 634 grade schools, high schools, and charter schools.
Each school has an elected Local School Council (LSC) composed of parent representatives, community members, students, and staff. LSC selects the principal, renews the principal’s contract, and handles other oversight functions for that school.
The Illinois State Legislature drew up the maps for the Chicago Board member districts.
The CPS Board has the power to levy property taxes.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Summary: The Chicago Transit Authority is an independent governmental agency created by Illinois statute to operate public transit in the metropolitan Chicago area.
Established: 1947
Governed by: The Chicago Transit Board consists of seven members who serve one 7-year term starting from September of the year they were appointed. Four members are nominated by the mayor and approved by the governor and the Chicago City Council. Three are nominated by the governor and approved by the mayor and the Illinois State Senate.
Budget (2024): ~$2 billion
Funding: Fares and funding from the Regional Transportation Authority
Facts:
CTA serves the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs
In 2022, CTA provided 140 million bus trips and 103 million rail trips
For more information about how Chicago governs itself, visit our City Government page and voilà, there it is, all neatly summarized in boxes.
Contact LWV Chicago’s City Government Committee with your questions or comments.