Majority of IFT spending goes to Chicago

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

The Illinois Federation of Teachers in 2021 spent 190 times more on Chicago-area teachers than it did on teachers south of Interstate 80. That could be why IFT membership has shrunk nearly 18% since 2017.

NEA dues rise, spending on teachers drops for 6 straight years

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Federal documents filed by the National Education Association show just 5% of its total spending was on representing members in 2021. NEA and its state affiliate – the Illinois Education Association – prioritized leadership salaries and politics over teachers.

Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Education Association and National Education Association filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Federation of Teachers and National Federation of Teachers filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

Thousands of government workers exercise rights in the year after landmark Janus case

By Mailee Smith

06/27/2019

This is the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling government employees cannot be forced to pay a union. In that year, about 20,000 workers from just three of Illinois’ public-sector unions have said “no” to union membership.

TAGS: fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, labor

Illinois’ teachers pay for representation, but union priorities rarely focus on members

By Mailee Smith

06/21/2019

A detailed review of teachers union spending, 2013-2018

AFSCME Council 31 spent just 17% of funds representing workers in 2018

By Mailee Smith

04/26/2019

Union’s own reporting shows only 17% of overall spending went for “representational activities” in 2018. Just what are Illinois public employees paying for?

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, Janus v. AFSCME

Union worker representation only 20 percent of AFSCME spending in Illinois

By Vincent Caruso

02/12/2019

Federal financial filings from Illinois’ largest government union show only 20 percent of its spending goes toward representing its members.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Janus v. AFSCME

Fraction of Illinois teachers’ union dues spent representing members

By Mailee Smith

02/01/2019

Recent federal filings by Illinois teachers’ unions show as little as 13 cents of every dollar was spent for “representational activities” – which is supposed to be the central purpose of the unions.

Worker freedom: More than 3,700 Illinois state workers stopped paying money to a union in 2018

By Vincent Caruso

12/23/2018

Of the more than 3,700 Illinois state workers who stopped sending part of every paycheck to a union, 2,800 stopped sending their money to AFSCME.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, unions

BBB Wise Giving Alliance

Majority of IFT spending goes to Chicago

NEA dues rise, spending on teachers drops for 6 straight years

Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

Thousands of government workers exercise rights in the year after landmark Janus case

Illinois’ teachers pay for representation, but union priorities rarely focus on members

AFSCME Council 31 spent just 17% of funds representing workers in 2018

Union worker representation only 20 percent of AFSCME spending in Illinois

Fraction of Illinois teachers’ union dues spent representing members

Worker freedom: More than 3,700 Illinois state workers stopped paying money to a union in 2018

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