Chicago Teachers Union leaders fought members, a Congressional inquiry and a potential U.S. Department of Labor investigation over audits. Now we know why.
Just 10 cents of every dollar the National Education Association spent in 2025 was on representing teachers. Politics and contributions took nearly four times that amount.
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.
Chicago Teachers Union members were encouraged to skip class to lobby state lawmakers during the veto session. Politics over student learning, at taxpayers’ expense.
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.
Illinois’ tax code stands in the way of the state’s economic competitiveness. The combination of high tax burdens and a poor tax structure contributes to the loss of jobs and investment to other states. From a place of former economic dominance, Illinois now ranks 45th in gross state product (GSP) growth over the past decade...