Illinois Policy Institute analysis shows the union failed to secure most of its original contract demands, but the deal still leaves taxpayers paying more for poor educational outcomes
PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977
Chicago Teachers Union to vote on $1.5 billion contract
Illinois Policy Institute analysis shows the union failed to secure most of its original contract demands, but the deal still leaves taxpayers paying more for poor educational outcomes
CHICAGO (April 9, 2025) – Members of the Chicago Teachers Union will start voting tomorrow to ratify a new contract. Members have operated without once since June 30, 2024.
Analysis from the Illinois Policy Institute shows the new contract is expected to cost Chicago taxpayers an estimated $1.5 billion. This encompasses the hiring of up to 900 new positions and teacher raises that will bring the average teacher’s salary to $114,429.
In addition to raises and new positions, the contract has costly new provisions including the creation of 50 new “sustainable community schools,” which produce the worst student outcomes in the district on average and cost more per student than traditional school models.
The union failed to secure funding for carbon neutrality, dormitory housing developments, CTA passes for faculty and students, electric buses and cash payments for asylum-seeking students. These provisions were part of their original contract demands, which were estimated to potentially cost taxpayers at least $10 billion.
“CTU union leadership over-promised and under-delivered considering the millions of dollars it spent to help elect Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and new members of the school board, to attempt to win a ‘transformative’ contract,” said Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy for the Illinois Policy Institute. “As we saw with its previous contract, every time CTU gets more money, it doesn’t translate into better outcomes for teachers or students. It usually just translates to more chaos – all on the taxpayers’ dime.”
What’s in the Chicago Teachers Union’s contract:
- Cost: The final cost of the contract is estimated at $1.5 billion over four years. CTU had wanted $10 billion over four years. The last contract cost $1.5 billion over five years.
- Raises: Teachers will receive 4-5% cost of living raises each year, bringing the average teacher’s salary to $114,429. CTU had demanded 9% raises.
- New positions: As many as 800-900 additional staff can be hired during the four years in targeted areas, such as special education and bilingual positions. CTU had demanded 13,900.
- Instructional time: Student instructional time will remain the same, but teachers will receive 10 extra minutes of prep time during the day. CTU had wanted to cut student instructional time to provide planning time for teachers.
- Curriculum demands: Teachers will be able to supplement the curriculum, and students, parents or other individuals can challenge lesson content and have it removed if it is determined problematic. CTU had demanded total teacher autonomy to reject district-mandated curriculums.
- School safety and discipline: The new contract includes a section on “restorative practices,” including restorative practices training. CTU had demanded completely police-free schools.
- “Sustainable Community Schools”: 50 new schools that provide extended health and social services will be created, bringing the total to 70. CTU wanted to add 180.
- Charter school moratorium: Families will see no charter school expansion, with a net-zero increase in the number of board-authorized charter schools and a continued cap on enrollment capacity. The agreement also paves the way for charter school closures. CTU’s demands were met.
- Secrets from parents: The district can hide students’ preferred gender identity from parents. Teachers “will not be required to reveal a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity without the student’s permission,” unless it is necessary for health or safety emergencies or as required by law. CTU’s demands were met.
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