Ifeoma Nkemdi
Ifeoma Nkemdi
“I’ve been teaching for 15 years. I was part of the 50 schools closings [in 2013]. “I remember being really involved with the [Chicago Teachers Union], even getting on the news for them. “Even during that time, it just seemed as though we were placed there to show, ‘Hey we’re equitable. Here look, we’re putting...
Chicago student enrollment dropped by 6,000, but union blocks closing schools
Chicago student enrollment dropped by 6,000, but union blocks closing schools
The new contract continues a moratorium on school closings despite plummeting student enrollment.
Ending dues deductions, recovering fees harder for public employees under bill passed by Illinois lawmakers
Ending dues deductions, recovering fees harder for public employees under bill passed by Illinois lawmakers
SB 1784 would hurt workers trying to stop paying union dues or trying to learn about their options. Union leaders get greater access to them and their personal information.
By Joe Tabor
Grayslake school employees who don’t want to strike: You have options
Grayslake school employees who don’t want to strike: You have options
Not all teachers and support staff at Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46 want to be on strike. Those who are not members of the union have more options – and more freedom – in deciding whether to walk the picket line.
By Mailee Smith
Striking Chicago teachers have the right to go to work and get paid
Striking Chicago teachers have the right to go to work and get paid
Teachers in Chicago Public Schools who are not union members cannot be punished for going to work during a union strike.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois House passes bill to make it harder for public employees to leave unions, recover fees
Illinois House passes bill to make it harder for public employees to leave unions, recover fees
SB 1784 would hurt workers trying to stop paying union dues, give unions greater access to them and their personal information.
By Joe Tabor
Chicago school worker says she was assaulted for crossing picket line
Chicago school worker says she was assaulted for crossing picket line
Yedidah Reuben said two union members attacked her for trying to work.
By Austin Berg
Mendota teachers who don’t want to strike: Here are your options
Mendota teachers who don’t want to strike: Here are your options
A teacher strike in Mendota, Illinois has lasted more than a week – but not all teachers in the small community may want to be on strike.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago teachers who don’t want to be on strike have options
Chicago teachers who don’t want to be on strike have options
The Chicago Teachers Union walked out on strike Oct. 17, but teachers who are not members of the union have more freedom to decide whether to return to their students.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago Teachers Union on strike for third time in 7 years
Chicago Teachers Union on strike for third time in 7 years
After rejecting an offer based on recommendations of a neutral third-party report, Illinois’ largest teachers’ union walked out on their students Oct. 17.
By Mailee Smith
CTU is out on strike: 6 things you need to know
CTU is out on strike: 6 things you need to know
The Chicago Teachers Union went on strike despite an offer that would boost average pay to nearly $100,000. Here’s who is getting hurt and the true costs of the strike.
By Mailee Smith
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost. Now it would rather strike than deal with the winner.
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost. Now it would rather strike than deal with the winner.
Chicago Teachers Union backed Toni Preckwinkle for mayor of Chicago, donating nearly $300,000 to her campaign. But Lori Lightfoot won – and now CTU is on strike for the third time in seven years despite her generous offer.
By Mailee Smith
2 Cook County commissioners each collect over $100K from Chicago Teachers Union
2 Cook County commissioners each collect over $100K from Chicago Teachers Union
Records show two Cook County Board members representing Chicago-area districts have each collected more than $100,000 from the Chicago Teachers Union atop their $85,000 commissioner salaries.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois law makes teacher strikes easiest in Chicago out of 10 largest U.S. school districts
Illinois law makes teacher strikes easiest in Chicago out of 10 largest U.S. school districts
Teacher strikes are illegal in 8 of the top 10 largest school districts in the nation. Maybe that’s why the Chicago Teachers Union is on strike for the third time in seven years.
By Mailee Smith