Chicago Teachers Union spends less on representing teachers under Stacy Davis Gates
Chicago Teachers Union spends less on representing teachers under Stacy Davis Gates
Just 17% of CTU’s spending in 2023 was on representing its members – down from previous years on record.
By Mailee Smith
Baileigh Lavery
Baileigh Lavery
“Words cannot even begin to express how much these scholarships can truly mean to someone. I want lawmakers to give other kids opportunities to feel the change I felt.”
Archdiocese of Chicago students thrive. Chicago Public Schools students struggle.
Archdiocese of Chicago students thrive. Chicago Public Schools students struggle.
But nearly 3,000 low-income students enrolled in Chicago’s parochial schools will lose their scholarships if the Invest in Kids Act is not extended by state lawmakers this fall.
By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid
Melanie Drews
Melanie Drews
“There are a lot of kids that thrive because they're helped out by these scholarships. Like for our family, my husband went through cancer twice and so it affects what jobs he can or can't do."
Shaka Rawls
Shaka Rawls
“The power of these scholarships can’t be summarized in rhetoric or legislation. The power and potential reside with the young people.”
Chicago Teachers Union membership drops under Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership
Chicago Teachers Union membership drops under Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership
Nearly 500 education employees have stopped affiliating with CTU in the past year. But the number of members leaving the union could be even larger than currently reported.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers
Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers
Tipped workers in Chicago will be phased into the city’s $15.80 minimum wage. Proponents said higher wages will help staffing shortages, but opponents said it will lead to higher costs, fewer jobs and maybe backfire for tipped workers’ pay.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates
Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates
For the first time since the Chicago Teachers Union started filing federal reports, the union reported spending more money than it took in for its 2023 fiscal year. It underscores members’ concerns about union leaders for years failing to provide required audits.
By Mailee Smith
Union bosses boost their kids’ dreams as they kill arts students’ hopes
Union bosses boost their kids’ dreams as they kill arts students’ hopes
The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Education Association have leaders sending their children to private schools for brighter futures. So why are they working to end the hopes of two performing arts students and their 9,600 low-income peers?
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Public Schools enrollment rises slightly after 11 years of decline
Chicago Public Schools enrollment rises slightly after 11 years of decline
Chicago Public Schools reported its first uptick in enrollment after 11 years of decline. Thousands of new English learners contributed to the rise. Low-income and Black student enrollment declined.
By Hannah Schmid
Heide Renteria
Heide Renteria
“We have to look beyond ourselves and recognize that a program like this helps to give the younger generation an opportunity to be successful in their careers and their education so they can come back and be leaders in the community.”