Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union will open their contract bargaining sessions to the public for the first time on June 14. Concerned Chicagoans can attend in-person and make their voices heard.

The Chicago Teachers Union demanded each of the 623 Chicago schools hire multiple new positions, including librarians, climate champions and gender support coordinators. Even nearly empty schools would be required to hire these extra staffers.

The Chicago Teachers Union is already paying about $4,300 less than the families whose taxes must support their health benefits. They will be seeking an even sweeter deal this summer.

Since 2010, CTU has funded the political committees of 84 of 177 lawmakers currently in the Illinois General Assembly. When you look at just Democrats, it is 72% – nearly half from outside Chicago.

Was Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates being facetious when she said a new contract could cost $50 billion and three cents? Maybe not. An analysis puts the price tag at least above $10 billion.