Join thousands of public school employees who left their union

By Hannah Schmid

08/09/2023

Nearly 23,000 educators and other public school employees have chosen not to affiliate with their unions. You’re not alone if you choose to opt-out this August.

Illinois Federation of Teachers spends little on representing teachers, members flee

By Mailee Smith

07/21/2023

Just 26% of IFT’s spending in 2022 was on representing teachers. IFT’s questionable spending could be why nearly 16,500 Illinois public school employees have chosen to distance themselves from the union.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, teachers union

NEA, IEA spend little on representing teachers, but prioritize politics

By Mailee Smith

07/21/2023

Less than 8% of NEA and IEA’s spending in 2022 was on representing teachers, according to the unions’ federal reports. That could be why nearly 203,000 public school employees – including more than 6,000 in Illinois – have left NEA since 2017.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, teachers union

How Chicago Teachers Union members can stop forced political donations

By Mailee Smith

02/24/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has drawn criticism from members for its handling of member money and use of dues for political purposes. Teachers who don’t like the way CTU uses their money can opt out and join alternative organizations.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois union membership shrinks by 17,000 in 2022

By Mailee Smith

01/23/2023

The drop in union membership for Illinois workers follows a 33-year downward trend, moving from more than 1-in-5 workers being in a union, to nearly 1-in-8.

TAGS: Illinois, unions

Just 19% of CTU’s spending in 2021 was to represent teachers

By Mailee Smith

08/18/2022

Only $134 of each Chicago Teachers Union member’s dues is actually spent on representing Chicago Public Schools teachers. The rest is spent on other CTU leadership priorities and on the union hierarchy.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Over 23,000 Illinois public school employees leave unions

By Hannah Schmid

04/14/2022

Membership in teachers unions has decreased nearly 10% since 2017, when public educators gained the right to stop handing their pay to unions.

TAGS: Illinois, opt out, public schools, teachers union

More than 38,000 workers have left government unions in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

04/12/2022

The unions’ own federal reports show 9% of workers have chosen to break away from unions since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME.

TAGS: government unions, Janus v. AFSCME, membership

Chicago teachers who don’t want to walk out on students have options

By Mailee Smith

01/05/2022

The Chicago Teachers Union refused to return to classrooms Jan. 5. Teachers who recognize the failings of remote learning and want to be there for their students have options.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, opt out

Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

Educators across Illinois are exercising their rights, with over 22,000 fewer school employees sending dues or fees to teachers unions than in 2017.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, opt out, teachers union

Association of American Educators

Join thousands of public school employees who left their union

Illinois Federation of Teachers spends little on representing teachers, members flee

NEA, IEA spend little on representing teachers, but prioritize politics

How Chicago Teachers Union members can stop forced political donations

Illinois union membership shrinks by 17,000 in 2022

Just 19% of CTU’s spending in 2021 was to represent teachers

Over 23,000 Illinois public school employees leave unions

More than 38,000 workers have left government unions in Illinois

Chicago teachers who don’t want to walk out on students have options

Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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