Just 17% of the union’s spending in 2025 was on representing teachers. But it spent a record-breaking amount on politics and paid many staffers over $100K.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

By Lilly Rossi

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Illinoisans should give thanks for Illinois’ heritage, opportunities, wins against new taxes and educational freedom.

Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent

By Hannah Schmid

11/12/2025

Last year, 43% of Chicago Public Schools teachers missed 10 or more school days. Statewide, it was 34%.

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

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

By Hannah Schmid

11/05/2025

New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.

Just 2-in-5 Chicago students read at grade level under lowered proficiency standards

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2025

Chicago Public Schools students struggle in reading and math as just 2-in-5 read at grade level and about 1-in-4 do math proficiently. And that’s after Illinois lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.

Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2025

Newly released data from state assessments show just half of Illinois public school students could read at grade level and 2-in-5 could do math proficiently in 2025. That’s after the state lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.

Illinois State Board of Education

Pritzker proposes record-setting $56 billion budget

Donors can help Illinois students, but will Pritzker let them?

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Soybeans, organ donors, flags, reading get new Illinois laws

Illinois Education Association spends little on teachers

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

Just 2-in-5 Chicago students read at grade level under lowered proficiency standards

Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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