With only 10,100 of the Chicago Teachers Union’s 27,216 active members voting to retain Stacy Davis Gates as president, she doesn’t have support from nearly two-thirds of the teachers the union represents.

The Illinois Revenue Alliance, a group which includes the Chicago Teachers Union, has released a proposal to impose nine tax increases and hike statewide taxes by $7.3 billion annually. Some of CTU’s ideas are likely illegal and tax all Illinoisans for the union’s excesses.

Chicago Teachers Union members have reason to question the leadership of President Stacy Davis Gates heading into the May 16 union election. Her many scandals have driven down the union’s reputation.

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

The Chicago Teachers Union election has two groups competing to lead one of the most militant unions in the nation. CTU has a hand in federal, state and local politics.