CTU says union contract negotiations should be livestreamed to the public. It has a point.

By Mailee Smith

10/09/2019

In calling for livestreamed negotiations, CTU highlights need for transparency in Illinois public employee negotiations.

TAGS: contract, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, labor, Lori Lightfoot

Chicago teachers who don’t want to strike: Here are your options

By Mailee Smith

10/07/2019

Chicago Teachers Union has announced a strike authorization vote for Sept. 24 through Sept. 26, but teachers who are not members of the union have more freedom to decide whether to honor the strike.

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

CTU strikes mostly harm minority students, low income families

By Bryce Hill

10/07/2019

While the city, Chicago Public Schools and taxpayers are all at financial risk from Chicago Teachers Union demands, it is ultimately students who will pay the highest price if the union strikes for the third time in seven years.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, strike

Chicago Teachers Union uses students as pawns in political power play

By Austin Berg

10/07/2019

CTU will continue to fight with the mayor over the next two weeks. Whether they actually walk out remains to be seen. But their behavior has already revealed what union power politics is all about – and who pays the price.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, strike, unions

East St. Louis police pension fund calls for state intercept of $1.8M, following fire pension demands

By Brad Weisenstein

10/04/2019

East St. Louis already faces a $2.2 million state funding diversion for its firefighters pension fund. Now the police pension board is demanding $1.79 million the city owes that fund.

TAGS: East St. Louis, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

CTU demands are an insult to average Chicago taxpayers

By Bill Reveille

10/03/2019

Property tax collections for Chicago Public Schools have grown nearly twice as fast as the typical Chicago household income.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, labor, Lori Lightfoot, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, strike, taxes

Chicago Teachers Union votes to strike for third time in 7 years

By Mailee Smith

10/01/2019

After rejecting an offer based on the recommendations of a neutral third-party report, Illinois’ largest teachers union voted to walk out on their students as soon as Oct. 7.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Jesse Sharkey, labor, Lori Lightfoot, strike, unions

Chicago eliminates library late fees, forgives outstanding debt

09/30/2019

Chicago Public Library is now the largest public library system in the nation to stop penalizing residents for overdue library books.

TAGS: Chicago, fees, fines, library, Lori Lightfoot

FBI, IRS continue raids by targeting 3 village offices in Cook County

By Vincent Caruso

09/27/2019

Federal agents raided the offices of three suburban villages, including one governed by a mayor who doubles as a Cook County commissioner. All three are in the district of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, also the subject of a federal raid.

TAGS: capital bill, capital project, Christopher Getty, corruption, Jay Hoffman, Jeff Tobolski, Kevin Quinn, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Tom Cullerton

CTU votes to authorize strike: 6 things you need to know

By Mailee Smith

09/27/2019

Members of the Chicago Teachers Union have voted to authorize a strike, which could come as early as Oct. 7. Here are six things you should know.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, labor, strike

Lori Lightfoot

CTU says union contract negotiations should be livestreamed to the public. It has a point.

Chicago teachers who don’t want to strike: Here are your options

CTU strikes mostly harm minority students, low income families

Chicago Teachers Union uses students as pawns in political power play

East St. Louis police pension fund calls for state intercept of $1.8M, following fire pension demands

CTU demands are an insult to average Chicago taxpayers

Chicago Teachers Union votes to strike for third time in 7 years

Chicago eliminates library late fees, forgives outstanding debt

FBI, IRS continue raids by targeting 3 village offices in Cook County

CTU votes to authorize strike: 6 things you need to know

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