As the Chicago Teachers Union continues negotiating with the former employee it got elected mayor, expect the union to get its way and city taxpayers and city services to take the hit.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers spent $46.1 million on Illinois political committees since 2010. Campaign cash went to nearly three-quarters of sitting lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly.
Dues money collected by local teachers unions rarely stays local. Instead, money flows up to state or national affiliates, where the priorities are politics and union boss expenses – not representing teachers.
The Chicago Teachers Union entered a 30-day “cooling off” period following its rejection of a neutral fact-finder’s contract recommendations. The 30 days are up. The union can go on strike after March 7.
Democrats in the Illinois Senate filed a bill to remove student academic growth data as a measure for teacher evaluations. The Illinois Federation of Teachers backs the bill – another effort by the union to obstruct accountability.
Bills filed in the Illinois General Assembly would lay the groundwork to close charter schools or place more restrictions on them. Illinois has a history of restricting charter schools at the behest of teachers unions.
Mayor Brandon Johnson asked to borrow $830 million one day after the city’s credit rating dipping to near-junk status. He would have broad discretion over how to spend the money – including on his friends at the Chicago Teachers Union.
After going on strike 63 times in the previous 13 years, Illinois teachers unions gave families a break and didn’t walk out on students in 2024. But the Chicago Teachers Union may change that soon.
The Chicago Teachers Union rejected recommendations from a neutral factfinder. The union will be free to strike after the report is public for 30 days and the union gives 10 days’ notice of striking.
New polling shows 3-in-5 Chicago voters have an unfavorable view of the Chicago Teachers Union. More than 55% said they would be less likely to vote for someone who accepts CTU donations.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is on leave from Chicago Public Schools while his administration negotiates its new contract. If Johnson were to return to CPS, he would be guaranteed a six-figure job.
The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools entered the “fact finding” phase of negotiations in January 2025. Here’s what that means, whether Chicago students might be out of class, when and what it all could do to taxpayers.