Illinois Education Association puts union bosses’ agenda ahead of teachers’
Illinois Education Association puts union bosses’ agenda ahead of teachers’
Just 13% of IEA’s spending was on representing teachers in 2023. But the spending of its national affiliate – the National Education Association – was even worse, with less than 8% of its spending on representing teachers’ interests.
By Mailee Smith
Understanding the Chicago Teachers Union’s unprecedented contract demands
Understanding the Chicago Teachers Union’s unprecedented contract demands
The Chicago Teachers Union's lengthy list of demands includes base raises and experience compensation each year, housing help, climate justice, more compensation added to pension calculations and a pool of health care funds targeted to racial disparities. An analysis puts the price tag at least $10 billion.
By Elliot Parrish, Jess Plowman
Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership
Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership
The union’s federal reports show the union has suffered membership loss during the past two decades. It could be because the union’s spending priorities are completely misplaced.
By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko
Public can see Chicago Teachers Union tactics at open bargaining session
Public can see Chicago Teachers Union tactics at open bargaining session
Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union will open their contract bargaining sessions to the public for the first time on June 14. Concerned Chicagoans can attend in-person and make their voices heard.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Teachers Union demands $1.7B for librarians, climate champions, gender support coordinators
Chicago Teachers Union demands $1.7B for librarians, climate champions, gender support coordinators
The Chicago Teachers Union demanded each of the 623 Chicago schools hire multiple new positions, including librarians, climate champions and gender support coordinators. Even nearly empty schools would be required to hire these extra staffers.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago Teachers Union family health insurance about $4,300 less than yours
Chicago Teachers Union family health insurance about $4,300 less than yours
The Chicago Teachers Union is already paying about $4,300 less than the families whose taxes must support their health benefits. They will be seeking an even sweeter deal this summer.
By Perry Zhao
Chicago Teachers Union gives nearly $1.3M to sitting Illinois lawmakers
Chicago Teachers Union gives nearly $1.3M to sitting Illinois lawmakers
Since 2010, CTU has funded the political committees of 84 of 177 lawmakers currently in the Illinois General Assembly. When you look at just Democrats, it is 72% – nearly half from outside Chicago.
By Chris Coffey
Speaker Welch got union power into Illinois Constitution, now his workers use it against him
Speaker Welch got union power into Illinois Constitution, now his workers use it against him
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch supported the so-called workers’ rights amendment but won’t recognize his own staff’s union. That union has now filed suit.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago Teachers Union contract could cost at least $10.2B to $13.9B
Chicago Teachers Union contract could cost at least $10.2B to $13.9B
Was Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates being facetious when she said a new contract could cost $50 billion and three cents? Maybe not. An analysis puts the price tag at least above $10 billion.
By Bryce Hill
Chicago Teachers Union demands parents be kept in dark on curriculum
Chicago Teachers Union demands parents be kept in dark on curriculum
The Chicago Teachers Union’s past lobbying to keep curriculum a secret plus its divisive tweets show the union’s demand to allow off-the-record curriculum isn’t in parents’ or students’ best interests.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers
Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon are taking heat from staffers for killing legislation allowing the workers to unionize. Statehouse leaders are big on union rights, as long as it’s not in their offices.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Teachers Union cuts class to lobby, costing taxpayers up to $141K
Chicago Teachers Union cuts class to lobby, costing taxpayers up to $141K
Chicagoans could end up paying between $93K and $141K to cover the cost of substitutes for the roughly 650 Chicago Public School teachers and staff who lobbied lawmakers May 15 in Springfield.
By Patrick Andriesen, Bryce Hill