The person who credentials Naperville children's teachers is up for election Tuesday, Nov. 3. Republican incumbent Amber M. Quirk faces Democrat Rebecca Gamboa for DuPage County Regional Superintendent of Schools.
The office serves as an intermediary between the Illinois State Board of Education and DuPage County school districts, coordinating state and local education services, according to a Patch report published in September 2023. It also conducts background checks on teaching applicants and confirms educators hold proper licenses, according to Quirk's campaign website.
Naperville falls within DuPage County's Region 19, meaning the winner will have a direct role in credentialing and safety planning for local schools.
Quirk's record in office
Quirk has held the Regional Superintendent position since July 1, 2023, when she replaced Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, who retired after 20 years in the role, according to the Patch report. Before that, Quirk served as Assistant Regional Superintendent starting in July 2021.
She holds a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from North Central College, according to ballot data. Her DuPage County experience includes five years as a principal in Maercker School District 60 and three years as assistant principal at Westview Hills Middle School. She got her start in Scituate, Massachusetts, before teaching and coaching in Lombard School District 44.
Quirk ran unopposed in the March 17 Republican primary, collecting 42,630 votes, according to official results published by Shaw Local.
Campaign priorities
On her campaign website, Quirk lists school safety, truancy reduction and educator licensure as top priorities. The race matters here. Her office hosts school support meetings, home visits and hearings for truant students and has offered training to school staff aimed at increasing attendance, the site states.
The office also offers professional learning for school personnel focused on strategies such as restorative discipline practices and positive behavior intervention systems, according to the campaign site.
The challenger
Gamboa won the Democratic primary with 95,704 votes, or 99.93%, according to Shaw Local's results. No public campaign platform or biography for Gamboa appeared in available public records as of election day.
