What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2025

Stacy Davis Gates brought controversy, conflict to the Chicago Teachers Union. With her as their president, Illinois Federation of Teachers members can expect the same.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago Teachers Union spent $173K on poolside recording studio, won’t show audit to members

By Mailee Smith

10/28/2025

Questionable spending plus the union’s refusal to release required annual audits should concern members.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Union membership remains near record low despite big boost in taxpayer-supported jobs

By Mailee Smith

01/29/2025

Rapid growth in government jobs during 2024 did little to fix the downward trajectory of union membership in Illinois. Just 13.1% of workers are union members in the state.

Chicago Teachers Union members sue union bosses over missing financial reports

By Mailee Smith

10/10/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is required to provide an annual audit to members under its own internal rules. It hasn’t done so for over four years. Members are suing to see what the union bosses are doing with the money.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union hasn’t released ‘annual’ audit for 4 years

By Mailee Smith

09/09/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union’s internal rules require it to release an audit to members each year. It hasn’t done so since Sept. 9, 2020.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union ignores own mandate for financial transparency

By Mailee Smith

02/14/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union hasn’t released an annual audit, required by its internal rules, for at least four fiscal years. What’s happening with members’ dues?

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates

By Mailee Smith

10/05/2023

For the first time since the Chicago Teachers Union started filing federal reports, the union reported spending more money than it took in for its 2023 fiscal year. It underscores members’ concerns about union leaders for years failing to provide required audits.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

What you need to know about who’s running for Chicago mayor

By Joe Tabor, Perry Zhao

02/18/2023

Nine candidates are asking to be Chicago’s next mayor. The election is outside the normal election cycle, meaning voter turnout is low despite the mayor’s impact on crime, education, the economy and Chicagoans’ taxes. Here’s what to know about the nine candidates.

TAGS: Chicago

Union member: Amendment 1 works against union interests

09/26/2022

A union member argues both government union members and taxpayers lose if Amendment 1 passes Nov. 8. He’s against it.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

By Mailee Smith

04/21/2021

Both police reform advocates and law enforcement supporters face the same serious obstacle in Illinois: police union contracts include provisions protecting officers from discipline. Those contracts carry more weight than state law.

Trade union

What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago Teachers Union spent $173K on poolside recording studio, won’t show audit to members

Union membership remains near record low despite big boost in taxpayer-supported jobs

Chicago Teachers Union members sue union bosses over missing financial reports

Chicago Teachers Union hasn’t released ‘annual’ audit for 4 years

Chicago Teachers Union ignores own mandate for financial transparency

Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates

What you need to know about who’s running for Chicago mayor

Union member: Amendment 1 works against union interests

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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