Illinois Federation of Teachers underfunds teachers, props up own officers

By Mailee Smith

04/10/2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers represents educators in 200 districts in Illinois. But just 26% of its spending in 2024 was on “representational activities” – what should be its core focus.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

01/08/2025

Government unions posed threats to public welfare that were recognized by founders of the labor movement and by progressive icon Franklin D. Roosevelt. Those threats have become reality, with government union power dominating – especially in Illinois.

National Education Association sees teacher exodus as political spending balloons

By Mailee Smith

12/06/2024

NEA has lost nearly 400,000 members since its peak in 2009. It could be because just 9% of the union’s spending is on representing teachers – with the rest on politics, administration and other union leader priorities.

TAGS: education, IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

American Federation of Teachers spends little on teachers, lots on staff

By Mailee Smith

11/27/2024

The American Federation of Teachers’ recent federal filing showed just 36% of the national union’s spending was on representing teachers. More than two-thirds of its own employees made six-figure salaries.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, unions

Illinois Education Association continues to lose members, underfund Job No. 1

By Mailee Smith

11/26/2024

The Illinois Education Association is the largest statewide teachers union in Illinois. But less than 15% of its in spending in 2024 was on representing its members – which could be why nearly 5,000 education employees have left the union.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

Chicago Teachers Union president paid over $269K but hides union financial records

By Mailee Smith

11/20/2024

Public records show the Chicago Teachers Union and other union entities pay Stacy Davis Gates a very healthy salary. But union transparency ends there. CTU is refusing to show members how it spends their money, despite that mandate in CTU’s rules.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

By Josh Bandoch, Larry Han

10/16/2024

Published Oct. 16, 2024 Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and...

Chicago Teachers Union continues to underfund member representation

By Mailee Smith

10/07/2024

Not even 20% of CTU’s spending went to representing its members during its 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to its own federal reporting.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

By Mailee Smith

09/19/2024

Illinois government workers’ union dues fund Democratic Party campaign committees, which are now seeking to tip the presidential election outcome in swing states. That fails to align with at least 40% of members’ politics.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Illinois Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers spend a lot, but not on teachers

By Mailee Smith

08/07/2024

The federal filings of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and its national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, reveal questionable spending, with little spent on representing teachers, millions spent on politics and deficit spending while the big boss got $500K.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, unions

United States Department of Labor

Illinois Federation of Teachers underfunds teachers, props up own officers

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

National Education Association sees teacher exodus as political spending balloons

American Federation of Teachers spends little on teachers, lots on staff

Illinois Education Association continues to lose members, underfund Job No. 1

Chicago Teachers Union president paid over $269K but hides union financial records

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Chicago Teachers Union continues to underfund member representation

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

Illinois Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers spend a lot, but not on teachers

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