The Chicago Teachers Union went on strike despite an offer that would boost average pay to nearly $100,000. Here’s who is getting hurt and the true costs of the strike.

Chicago Teachers Union backed Toni Preckwinkle for mayor of Chicago, donating nearly $300,000 to her campaign. But Lori Lightfoot won – and now CTU is on strike for the third time in seven years despite her generous offer.

Teacher strikes are illegal in 8 of the top 10 largest school districts in the nation. Maybe that’s why the Chicago Teachers Union is on strike for the third time in seven years.

During the past 10 years, the median salary for a Chicago teacher has grown 75% faster than the median salary for private-sector Chicago workers.

Chicago Teachers Union has announced a strike authorization vote for Sept. 24 through Sept. 26, but teachers who are not members of the union have more freedom to decide whether to honor the strike.

While the city, Chicago Public Schools and taxpayers are all at financial risk from Chicago Teachers Union demands, it is ultimately students who will pay the highest price if the union strikes for the third time in seven years.

CTU will continue to fight with the mayor over the next two weeks. Whether they actually walk out remains to be seen. But their behavior has already revealed what union power politics is all about – and who pays the price.

Property tax collections for Chicago Public Schools have grown nearly twice as fast as the typical Chicago household income.

Educators across the state are exercising their rights, with 12,000 fewer public school employees sending dues or fees to teachers unions today than before the Janus v. AFSCME ruling.

After rejecting an offer based on the recommendations of a neutral third-party report, Illinois’ largest teachers union voted to walk out on their students as soon as Oct. 7.