Teacher pension ‘pickup’ costs boost burden on Illinois taxpayers

By LyLena Estabine

05/12/2025

Illinois teachers are required to contribute 9% of their salary toward pensions, but many school districts “pick up” this cost – putting the pension burden on taxpayers.

Chicago schools property taxes up 62% in 15 years

By Patrick Andriesen

05/06/2025

The median Chicago residence paid $2,059 in property taxes just to support Chicago Public Schools in 2024, 62% more than they paid 15 years ago. More than half of a Chicago homeowners’ property tax bill now goes to CPS.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, property taxes

Chicago Teachers Union contract will create nearly $1B fiscal cliff for schools

By Bryce Hill

05/02/2025

Chicago Public Schools was already projecting annual budget deficits in excess of $500 million in coming years. The new Chicago Teachers Union contract costs will grow the deficit to nearly $1 billion

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago’s pension debt being fueled by heavy, growing interest

By LyLena Estabine

04/30/2025

With $18.5 billion of the city’s $52.4 billion shortfall driven by interest on pension debt, it’s clear Illinois’ largest city needs the state to pass constitutional pension reform.

Chicago Public Schools hits taxpayers twice with pension pickups

By LyLena Estabine

04/29/2025

Chicago Public Schools teachers hired before 2017 only pay 2% of the required employee contribution for their pensions. The other 7% is picked up by the district, costing $135 million in 2025.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Teachers Union pushes kids to miss school for political rally, protest McDonald’s

By Dylan Sharkey

04/25/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union is encouraging students and staff to miss school for a political rally, which includes protests against McDonald’s restaurants and guacamole.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

By Paul Vallas

04/25/2025

Deep-blue Illinois had President Biden to bail out the state’s and Chicago’s financial failings. Now city and state leaders have President Trump to blame for their financial failings. Eventually, taxpayers will be held responsible.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker

Parents beware: Chicago Teachers Union contract is anti-student

By Mailee Smith

04/25/2025

The new Chicago Teachers Union contract grows an education model that is failing students while attacking parents’ ability to choose alternatives. All that, at a higher cost.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union contract bumps average teacher from $86K to over $114K

By Bryce Hill

04/11/2025

The average Chicago Public Schools teacher will see their salary increase to more than $114,000 by the 2027-2028 school year. Just the raises will cost Chicagoans up to $1.25 billion.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, property taxes

Illinois Federation of Teachers underfunds teachers, props up own officers

By Mailee Smith

04/10/2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers represents educators in 200 districts in Illinois. But just 26% of its spending in 2024 was on “representational activities” – what should be its core focus.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Chicago Public Schools

Teacher pension ‘pickup’ costs boost burden on Illinois taxpayers

Chicago schools property taxes up 62% in 15 years

Chicago Teachers Union contract will create nearly $1B fiscal cliff for schools

Chicago’s pension debt being fueled by heavy, growing interest

Chicago Public Schools hits taxpayers twice with pension pickups

Chicago Teachers Union pushes kids to miss school for political rally, protest McDonald’s

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

Parents beware: Chicago Teachers Union contract is anti-student

Chicago Teachers Union contract bumps average teacher from $86K to over $114K

Illinois Federation of Teachers underfunds teachers, props up own officers

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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