Vallas: Hunger strike saved school, but academic neglect starves students

By Paul Vallas

07/29/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union’s refusal to close near-empty schools and push for more “sustainable community schools” is hurting student achievement. CTU is about adding members and escaping accountability, not about what’s best for Chicago students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: Work-study changes futures of Chicago’s at-risk youth

By Paul Vallas

07/25/2025

Summer jobs programs are not enough to keep Chicago’s youth out of trouble. To reach their potential, a year-round answer is needed. Paid apprenticeships or other work-study need to become part of public education.

Illinois Federation of Teachers likes trans restrooms; dislikes cops, charter schools

By Lilly Rossi

07/24/2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers, the parent union of the Chicago Teachers Union, should be worried about the three Rs, but its main R is “radicalism.” Transgender restrooms, defunding the police and getting rid of charter schools top its radical agenda.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Think Chicago Teachers Union stays in Chicago? Not according to its VP

By Lilly Rossi

07/18/2025

Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jackson Potter said CTU needs to be more involved in other school districts. That means 52 school districts negotiating teachers contracts this year are targets for CTU tactics and militancy.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Is Chicago Teachers Union about to grab more control of statewide union?

By Lilly Rossi

07/11/2025

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery won’t be seeking reelection, and three other executive board members have submitted resignations. Those vacancies give the Chicago Teachers Union an opening to gain more power over the statewide union.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Vallas: Illinois returning to soft bigotry of low expectations

By Paul Vallas

06/26/2025

Illinois students are not learning, but instead of boosting the quality of education state leaders are trying to lower standards so scores don’t look as bad. Blame it on the Chicago Teachers Union and other teachers unions pushing for less accountability.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education

Chicago Teachers Union sets more traps to kill charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

06/24/2025

Charter school contracts can be renewed for up to 10 years, but the Chicago Teachers Union has been pressuring for as few as two years. Sowing instability hurts charters and improves CTU’s odds of killing competition for their mediocre product.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education

Vallas: ‘Tax Illinois’ rich’ dogma is a dangerous delusion

By Paul Vallas

06/10/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson likes to parrot platitudes about taxing the rich to fix the city, CTA and Chicago Public Schools finances. But all three made bad decisions and did not adjust to post-pandemic realities. And the rich can move away.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union destroying even public-school choice

By Paul Vallas

06/05/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union and its cronies destroyed Illinois’ only private school choice program. Now they are out to kill charter schools and public-school choice, leaving parents with no option but CTU’s failing product.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: Hunger strike saved school, but academic neglect starves students

Vallas: Work-study changes futures of Chicago’s at-risk youth

Illinois Federation of Teachers likes trans restrooms; dislikes cops, charter schools

Think Chicago Teachers Union stays in Chicago? Not according to its VP

Is Chicago Teachers Union about to grab more control of statewide union?

Vallas: Illinois returning to soft bigotry of low expectations

Chicago Teachers Union sets more traps to kill charter schools

Vallas: ‘Tax Illinois’ rich’ dogma is a dangerous delusion

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union destroying even public-school choice

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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