CPS, CTU want to create new taxing districts to raise $100 million from taxpayers

By Chris Lentino

05/12/2016

Creating new special service areas for the sole benefit of Chicago Public Schools would mean hitting homeowners with an additional $100 million in taxes.

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

Labor board finds CTU’s April 1 strike likely illegal

By Jeffrey Schwab

04/27/2016

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board determined there is enough evidence of the illegality of CTU’s April 1 walkout for CPS to pursue a court order to prevent CTU from waging any similar strikes.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education

CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike

By Jeffrey Schwab

04/01/2016

The union’s one-day strike is an illegal, aggressive political power play, and its attempt to coerce its members to participate violates its own constitution. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline, the law and the political statement the union is making.

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

Chicago Teachers Union’s Karen Lewis: ‘I am in the 5 percent’

By Ted Dabrowski

03/31/2016

Karen Lewis, whose six-figure salary comes from teachers’ union dues, expects rank-and-file teachers to forgo part of their salaries to participate in a one-day strike.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Karen Lewis

Teachers’ rights: What if someone doesn’t want to participate in CTU’s 1-day strike on April 1?

03/30/2016

CPS teachers who are unsure about their options on April 1 can call 312-805-0969 for information or assistance.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

By Ted Dabrowski

03/24/2016

Even with the city’s record tax hike and massive borrowing, lack of reform means Chicagoans can expect to open up their wallets yet again.

Chicago Teachers Union’s threatened April 1 strike date isn’t legal

By Jeffrey Schwab

03/03/2016

The Chicago Teachers Union has threatened to strike as early as April 1 over Chicago Public Schools’ announced plan to stop paying a portion of teachers’ required contributions to their pension fund. Under Illinois labor law, however, CTU cannot legally strike before mid- to late-May.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

11 things you need to know about Chicago teacher pensions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/01/2016

Pension holidays, steep increases in teachers' salaries, and lopsided ratios of teacher contributions to pension payouts have caused the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund’s unfunded liabilities to shoot up to $9 billion in 2015.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, pensions

CPS budget breakdown: Where has the money gone?

By John Klingner, Amy Korte

03/01/2016

Unaffordable salaries and pension benefits on top of a structurally unstable retirement system have pushed CPS to the brink of insolvency despite record tax revenues.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, pensions

Education labor board to Chicago Teachers Union: No step-and-lane raises

By Ted Dabrowski

02/19/2016

The value of these raises is estimated at $26 million. CTU wanted the education labor board to compel CPS to pay out, even though the district and the union hadn’t agreed to a labor contract.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, step and lane

Chicago Teachers Union

CPS, CTU want to create new taxing districts to raise $100 million from taxpayers

Labor board finds CTU’s April 1 strike likely illegal

CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike

Chicago Teachers Union’s Karen Lewis: ‘I am in the 5 percent’

Teachers’ rights: What if someone doesn’t want to participate in CTU’s 1-day strike on April 1?

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

Chicago Teachers Union’s threatened April 1 strike date isn’t legal

11 things you need to know about Chicago teacher pensions

CPS budget breakdown: Where has the money gone?

Education labor board to Chicago Teachers Union: No step-and-lane raises

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

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