Not even 19% of CTU spending in 2026 went to teacher representation

By Mailee Smith

10/26/2026

The Chicago Teachers Union spent more money running itself than on representing its members.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois’ new rideshare union law could hurt drivers, passengers

By Ethan Soifer

09/22/2026

Bringing rideshare drivers into a union could reduce employment for drivers and will likely raise prices.

Illinois’ 2nd-largest government union spent 38 times more on politics than member representation

By Mailee Smith

09/18/2026

Not even 2% of SEIU State Council’s 2025 spending was on “representational activities," it says.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

SEIU Healthcare misleads about member numbers, spends little on the ones it has

By Mailee Smith

09/01/2026

While its members make modest wages, dozens of the union’s staffers are paid $100,000 or more.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for

By Mailee Smith

07/29/2026

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.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Teachers can stop paying union dues and keep their benefits

By Hannah Schmid

07/29/2026

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

TAGS: Janus v. AFSCME

Illinois Federation of Teachers: 7 things the union doesn’t want teachers to know

By Mailee Smith

07/23/2026

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

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

1-in-3 reject union membership in AFSCME Council 31

By Mailee Smith

07/20/2026

Of its own officers and employees, 83 made over $100,000.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

Chicago Teachers Union-style political agenda may come to your school district

By Mailee Smith

06/25/2026

Teacher contracts expire this year in at least 60 districts represented by the Illinois Federation of Teachers — run by CTU President Stacy Davis Gates.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union overrides state law on locker rooms, gender identity

By Mailee Smith

06/19/2026

The union helped push a state constitutional amendment in 2022 that allows its contracts to override state law.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Collective bargaining

Not even 19% of CTU spending in 2026 went to teacher representation

Illinois’ new rideshare union law could hurt drivers, passengers

Illinois’ 2nd-largest government union spent 38 times more on politics than member representation

SEIU Healthcare misleads about member numbers, spends little on the ones it has

Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for

Teachers can stop paying union dues and keep their benefits

Illinois Federation of Teachers: 7 things the union doesn’t want teachers to know

1-in-3 reject union membership in AFSCME Council 31

Chicago Teachers Union-style political agenda may come to your school district

Chicago Teachers Union overrides state law on locker rooms, gender identity

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

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students