Chicago Teachers Union contract will be costly, but did union get what it demanded?

By Mailee Smith

04/07/2025

After bankrolling Mayor Brandon Johnson’s way into office, the Chicago Teachers Union went into contract negotiations demanding 700-plus new provisions, estimated to cost at least $10 billion. What it got: 150 new provisions worth around $1.5 billion.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago mayor praises school with just 2% adept readers as example of his values

By Hannah Schmid

04/03/2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated Dyett High School where only 2% of tested students can read at grade level – and none can do math at grade level – as a “great example” of a schooling model the Chicago Teachers Union’s tentative contract plans to boost.

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

Vallas: Johnson will hand Chicago Teachers Union its demands, regardless of cost

By Paul Vallas

03/20/2025

As the Chicago Teachers Union continues negotiating with the former employee it got elected mayor, expect the union to get its way and city taxpayers and city services to take the hit.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Which teachers’ union affiliate represents your school district?

By Jess Plowman

03/14/2025

Dues money collected by local teachers unions rarely stays local. Instead, money flows up to state or national affiliates, where the priorities are politics and union boss expenses – not representing teachers.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, unions

Chicago Teachers Union can strike after March 7

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union entered a 30-day “cooling off” period following its rejection of a neutral fact-finder’s contract recommendations. The 30 days are up. The union can go on strike after March 7.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Teachers unions pushing bills to damage Illinois charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

03/03/2025

Bills filed in the Illinois General Assembly would lay the groundwork to close charter schools or place more restrictions on them. Illinois has a history of restricting charter schools at the behest of teachers unions.

TAGS: charter schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago mayor wants to borrow $830M, which could benefit his Chicago Teachers Union cronies

By Dylan Sharkey

02/21/2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson asked to borrow $830 million one day after the city’s credit rating dipping to near-junk status. He would have broad discretion over how to spend the money – including on his friends at the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level.

By Hannah Schmid

02/13/2025

Not a single 11th-grade student was proficient in reading or math in 2023-2024 at Douglass Academy High School. The near-empty school has the highest per-student spending in Chicago Public Schools.

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

No Illinois teacher strikes in 2024, but will Chicago Teachers Union strike in 2025?

By Mailee Smith

02/13/2025

After going on strike 63 times in the previous 13 years, Illinois teachers unions gave families a break and didn’t walk out on students in 2024. But the Chicago Teachers Union may change that soon.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union moves one step closer to going on strike

By Mailee Smith

02/05/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union rejected recommendations from a neutral factfinder. The union will be free to strike after the report is public for 30 days and the union gives 10 days’ notice of striking.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union