Chicago Teachers Union spends $2.1M on losing school board candidates

By Austin Berg, Jon Josko

05/15/2025

The 2024 Chicago school board elections may have marked a turning point in public perception of the Chicago Teachers Union’s political muscle. Of the $2.8 million CTU and its affiliates spent, 75% went to losing candidates. It could impact union elections.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union

By Hannah Schmid

05/12/2025

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.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

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.

Illinois food assistance dips in January, but still leads region

By Lauren Zuar

05/07/2025

Illinois had a slight decrease in food assistance recipients in January, yet the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation remains higher than it was a decade ago and ahead of neighboring states.

TAGS: SNAP

Illinois fixing shortage by changing foreign-trained doctor licensing

By Chris Coffey

05/06/2025

A new law took effect this year allowing foreign-trained physicians to apply for limited licenses on an accelerated path to permanently practice medicine in Illinois.

Tariff troubles highlight Chicago’s precarious pension situation

By LyLena Estabine

05/06/2025

Tariffs by President Donald Trump sent markets tumbling and temporarily hurt public pension investments. While the markets recovered, the episode showed Chicago’s pension systems are extremely fragile.

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

How Chicago Teachers Union election impacts those well past city limits

By Dylan Sharkey

05/01/2025

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.

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

Chicago Teachers Union spends $2.1M on losing school board candidates

Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union

Teacher pension ‘pickup’ costs boost burden on Illinois taxpayers

Illinois food assistance dips in January, but still leads region

Illinois fixing shortage by changing foreign-trained doctor licensing

Tariff troubles highlight Chicago’s precarious pension situation

Chicago schools property taxes up 62% in 15 years

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

How Chicago Teachers Union election impacts those well past city limits

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

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