Information for Candidates

School Board Candidate Qualifications

As a prospective candidate, consider the following points on school board service: qualifications, the description, reasons for serving, characteristics of effective school board members, and preparation for service on the school board. Learn more about Qualifications and Characteristics of a School Board Member.

Petition Circulation

The Illinois State Board of Elections has published a 2025 Abbreviated Election Calendar. Petition circulation begins on August 20, 2024, for school board candidates for the April 1, 2025 election. The first day that petitions can be filed is November 12, 2024, and the last day of filing is November 18, 2024. A Candidate’s Guide has not yet been posted. Further information can be found on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

To become a school board candidate one must

1. File a Statement of Economic Interests with the county clerk and obtain a receipt; these forms are available from the county clerk. 

2. Obtain and complete a nominating petition signed by at least 50 registered voters or 10% of the voters, whichever is less; and a Statement of Candidacy. Nominating petition forms and Statements of Candidacy are available from the county clerk or county board of election commissioners.

These completed documents and the county clerk’s receipt for the Statement of Economic Interests must be filed with the county clerk no earlier than 113 days before the election and no later than 106 days before the election during normal office hours. If a candidate receives or expends $3,000 or more in an election campaign, reports must be filed with the county clerk in compliance with the Illinois Campaign Disclosure Act.

To learn more about school board service:

• A School Board Member's Approach to the Job
• How School Boards Work
• IASB Membership
• Your First Year: A Roadmap to Success