What voters should know about how amending Illinois’ constitution will boost government union power

By Mailee Smith

06/10/2021

State lawmakers are asking voters to enshrine union powers in the Illinois Constitution. Here’s what to know before deciding the question on the November 2022 ballot.

TAGS: government unions, Illinois, right to work, worker freedom

Government union bosses may get permanent special treatment in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

05/26/2021

A proposed Illinois constitutional amendment, SJRCA 11, would give government unions unchecked, unlimited power. Special status for them, with higher taxpayer demands set in stone.

TAGS: collective bargaining, government unions, Illinois, strike

Illinois lawmakers seek to be nation’s first to put job-killing amendment in state constitution

By Mailee Smith

05/24/2021

A proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would prohibit right-to-work laws in Illinois, making Illinois the only state to ban worker freedoms in its constitution.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Illinois, private sector, right to work, unions

Pritzker signs bill making it easier for Chicago Teachers Union to walk out on students

By Mailee Smith

04/08/2021

A new law gives the Chicago Teachers Union more leverage in contract negotiations, and more opportunities to go on strike. Eight of the nation’s 10 largest school districts prohibit teacher strikes.

TAGS: COVID-19, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, JB Pritzker, strike

Strike gains less than 1% over 3 years by idling Bourbonnais students for week

By Patrick Andriesen

03/15/2021

The Bourbonnais Education Association walked out, gaining 10.25% over 3 years rather than the 9.5% the district offered before the strike. Students lost a week of school.

TAGS: Bourbonnais, education, strike, teachers union

Bourbonnais union strikes; claims to fight for students ‘out on the picket line’

By Brad Weisenstein

03/05/2021

A disagreement over final contract details caused the teachers union to strike in Bourbonnais, putting 2,452 elementary students out of class.

TAGS: Bourbonnais, COVID-19, education

Where are Chicago parents at the bargaining table?

By Mailee Smith, Ann Miller

02/09/2021

With the Chicago Teachers Union finally deciding students can return to classrooms, parent groups are clamoring to be heard. Unfortunately, Illinois law prohibits them from having much say about schools reopening.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, reopen, strike

Chicago students falling behind as city, teachers’ union squabble

By Ann Miller

02/05/2021

The Chicago Teachers Union has more demands before it will tell members to return to classrooms. Chicago’s mayor says the teachers’ union has a final offer.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

FAQs: What Chicago teachers should know before going on strike

By Mailee Smith

02/02/2021

Chicago Teachers Union is poised to go on strike for the fourth time in nine years. Here’s what Chicago Public Schools teachers need to know before joining a strike.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Chicago teacher strike threat grows as elementary students miss return

By Brad Weisenstein

02/01/2021

With an agreement close but the Chicago Teachers Union refusing to budge, elementary students missed what was to be their first day back in 10 months. Now the fourth strike in nine years is imminent.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike