CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson has designated a candidate to fill a seat on the city’s Board of Education that’s been vacant for the past two months.

Angel Velez is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant who lives in West Englewood, according to WBEZ.

The appointment comes ahead of a pivotal vote on the Chicago Public Schools’ budget, with a possible shutdown being a real possibility.

What we know:

The behind-the-scenes lobbying is coming to a head as Johnson, the Chicago Teachers Union, and their allies on the board find themselves at odds with CPS leadership.

The political ads were already flying, including one from the CTU attacking the elected school board members who support the budget and oppose any new borrowing to help fill a budget deficit. The ad falsely claim

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