15,600 IFT members don’t exist, according to a union filing

By Mailee Smith

04/14/2026

The remaining members’ dues fund 65 salaries of over $100,000.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

National Education Association spends on politics over teachers

By Mailee Smith

12/22/2025

Just 10 cents of every dollar the National Education Association spent in 2025 was on representing teachers. Politics and contributions took nearly four times that amount.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

Illinois Education Association spends little on teachers

By Mailee Smith

12/19/2025

Just 17% of the union’s spending in 2025 was on representing teachers. But it spent a record-breaking amount on politics and paid many staffers over $100K.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members

By Mailee Smith

11/12/2025

Union accounting shows just 36% of its spending was on representing teachers in 2025, while it spent more than $41 million on politics.

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

What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2025

Stacy Davis Gates brought controversy, conflict to the Chicago Teachers Union. With her as their president, Illinois Federation of Teachers members can expect the same.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

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.

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

By Geoff Feinstein

10/21/2025

Pensions and debt dominate Chicago’s spending increases, crowding out core services. Without reform, rising obligations will drag the city into deeper financial trouble.

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

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

SEIU Illinois spends just 3% of members’ money representing workers

By Mailee Smith

05/12/2025

The Illinois state affiliate of the Service Employees International Union collected over $3 million in dues from members in 2024. It spent just $57,000 of that representing them. Politics and overhead were the union’s priorities.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Better Business Bureau

15,600 IFT members don’t exist, according to a union filing

National Education Association spends on politics over teachers

Illinois Education Association spends little on teachers

American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members

What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

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

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

Record high: Chicago Teachers Union 2X political spending

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

SEIU Illinois spends just 3% of members’ money representing workers

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