Chicago school enrollment declines for 11th year

By Dylan Sharkey

09/22/2022

A total of 82,000 fewer students attend Chicago Public Schools than a decade ago. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates blames the city for more than a decade of declining enrollment.

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

One-third of Chicago Public Schools are half full

By Hannah Max

08/19/2022

Smaller student population and worsening test scores continue despite more funding.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, enrollment

How Chicago Teachers Union sold $8.1M high-rise, hid cash from oversight

By Patrick Andriesen

05/19/2022

Chicago Teachers Union leaders made $8.1 million selling property paid for with union member dues, only to shuffle the proceeds to a charity with less oversight. Members are voting May 20 for transparency from new leaders.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, teachers union

Chicago Public Schools to end mask mandate March 14

By Patrick Andriesen

03/08/2022

Chicago Public Schools will make masks optional for students and staff starting March 14, following CDC guidance. The Chicago Teacher’s Union said union leaders were working to block the decision and keep students masked.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, mask mandate

Chicago Public Schools tells parents mask-optional coming soon

By Dylan Sharkey

03/03/2022

Chicago Public Schools’ top administrator told parents a mask-optional model for students and staff is coming soon. A Chicago Teachers Union dictate has kept students in masks despite the statewide mandate being lifted.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, mask mandate

Courts could block Chicago Public Schools mask mandate

By Dylan Sharkey

03/02/2022

Despite revised statewide orders, Chicago Public Schools are still requiring universal masking in all schools and offices after the Chicago Teachers Union forced the change through a walkout. A judge was asked to let student faces go free.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, mask mandate

Chicago public schools keep masks in place as city, parochial schools end mandate

By Dylan Sharkey

02/24/2022

Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education said vaccination rates have it keeping students and staff in masks Feb. 28 and beyond. Parents are asking what it will take to see classrooms without masks. More private schools are taking off masks.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, mask mandate

Strike cost Chicago students 5 days; Amendment 1 could cost them many more

01/12/2022

Voters will decide Nov. 8 whether the Chicago Teachers Union will have a permanent right to walk out on students for whatever reason union bosses decide.

TAGS: Amendment 1, COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union ends walkout after students lose 5 days

By Dylan Sharkey

01/11/2022

Chicago students will be back in classes Jan. 12 after losing five days of instruction thanks to a walkout by the Chicago Teachers Union. The union forced more COVID-19 testing, but damaged students’ educations for the third time in 27 months to do so.

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

Chicago Public Schools rejects opt-out testing solution

By Dylan Sharkey

01/10/2022

CPS rejected a proposal from the Chicago Teachers Union that would have tested randomly selected students. Mayor Lighfoot says parents opting in is non-negotiable

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Susie Warden

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students