How will CTU-backed candidates fare in the primary?
The Chicago Teachers Union endorsed and financially backed candidates for federal, state and local elections in the March 17 primary.
Voters will see Tuesday whether candidates endorsed and supported by the Chicago Teachers Union win their primary elections.
The CTU has endorsed a list of candidates. CTU backing could hurt many of those who face challenges. Almost half of likely Chicago voters in a recent poll said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who takes money from the union.
Toni Preckwinkle, who’s seeking her fifth term as Cook County Board president, told journalists she did not seek CTU’s endorsement this time, without saying why. She does have the endorsement of other unions.
Preckwinkle’s decision not to seek CTU’s endorsement was “striking,” the Chicago Tribune wrote.
“But it’s unclear whether the famously tight-lipped Preckwinkle is actually on the outs with CTU or merely distancing herself out of concern that the firebrand group’s brand — or [Mayor Brandon] Johnson’s — has grown toxic,” wrote reporter Alice Yin.
The union reported record-high political spending in its 2025 fiscal year, funneling $4.2 million to political activities and lobbying. At least $2.4 million of that was earmarked for Chicago Public Schools board races, yet only three of nine CTU-endorsed candidates won a contested race.
In fiscal 2025, 82% of CTU spending went toward politics, overhead and other union leadership priorities. Only 18% went toward representation, which the U.S. Labor Department calls contract negotiation, administration and enforcement.
Chicago educators who don’t want to pay union dues that could go to candidates they may not support have options:
- Teachers can get liability insurance for legal protections elsewhere, often at a fraction of the price of union membership. Educators can join other groups, such as the Association of American Educators or the Teacher Freedom Alliance. The alliance is donor-funded and free to teachers.
- Teachers can opt out of union membership and keep all employer-provided benefits. Teachers who opt out stop paying dues yet retain all benefits in the contract with the school district.
CTU provides only a window every August during which members can opt out and stop paying dues. Interested teachers can visit LeaveCtu.com for more information and to sign up for a reminder to opt out when August approaches.