How will CTU-backed candidates fare in the primary?

By Lilly Rossi

03/16/2026

The Chicago Teachers Union endorsed and financially backed candidates for federal, state and local elections in the March 17 primary.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Here’s who CTU supports in the 2026 primary elections

By Lilly Rossi

03/10/2026

The Chicago Teachers Union shared its 2026 state primary election candidate endorsements.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union pulls teachers out of class, away from students

By Lilly Rossi

11/06/2025

Chicago Teachers Union members were encouraged to skip class to lobby state lawmakers during the veto session. Politics over student learning, at taxpayers’ expense.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers

By Mailee Smith

10/22/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union’ own federal reporting shows its members are not priority No.1.

Record high: Chicago Teachers Union 2X political spending

By Mailee Smith

10/02/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union spent millions on failed school board candidates in its 2025 fiscal year. Not even 18% of its spending was on representing teachers.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

August is teacher union opt-out time: what you need to know

By Lilly Rossi

08/04/2025

There is one time a year for most public education employees to opt out of their teachers union. That time is now. Here’s why it might make sense for you.

TAGS: opt out, teachers union

Illinois teachers can opt out of unions in August. Here’s why they should.

By Mailee Smith

07/30/2025

Just 15% to 26% of Illinois teachers union spending was on representing teachers in 2024. But public education employees can opt out of union membership and keep their hard-earned money.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

Chicago Teachers Union continues to underfund member representation

By Mailee Smith

10/07/2024

Not even 20% of CTU’s spending went to representing its members during its 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to its own federal reporting.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers spend a lot, but not on teachers

By Mailee Smith

08/07/2024

The federal filings of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and its national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, reveal questionable spending, with little spent on representing teachers, millions spent on politics and deficit spending while the big boss got $500K.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, unions

Illinois Education Association puts union bosses’ agenda ahead of teachers’

By Mailee Smith

07/30/2024

Just 13% of IEA’s spending was on representing teachers in 2023. But the spending of its national affiliate – the National Education Association – was even worse, with less than 8% of its spending on representing teachers’ interests.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

Association of American Educators

How will CTU-backed candidates fare in the primary?

Here’s who CTU supports in the 2026 primary elections

Chicago Teachers Union pulls teachers out of class, away from students

Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers

Record high: Chicago Teachers Union 2X political spending

August is teacher union opt-out time: what you need to know

Illinois teachers can opt out of unions in August. Here’s why they should.

Chicago Teachers Union continues to underfund member representation

Illinois Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers spend a lot, but not on teachers

Illinois Education Association puts union bosses’ agenda ahead of teachers’

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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