The majority of IFT’s spending is not on representing teachers, according to its own reports. Teachers can opt out of the union during August.

Educators can join thousands of their colleagues and opt out of union membership — and retain all benefits provided in their contract.

The union embraces political spending tactics the Chicago Teachers Union uses in an effort to further its political goals.

IFT represents educators in more than 200 districts across Illinois. But teachers’ zip codes dictate how much support they actually get from the union.