Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Board of Education members aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union urged Governor JB Pritzker to hold a special legislative session to increase education funding, citing a $700 million deficit in Chicago Public Schools' budget. They advocated for progressive tax policies targeting wealthy individuals and corporations, but legislation for a millionaire's tax stalled in May.

Chicago's school board approved a resolution prohibiting candidates from accepting campaign donations from current or prospective vendors of Chicago Public Schools. The 16-1 vote aims to prevent conflicts of interest, requiring board members to recuse themselves or return donations from vendors. Critics, like board member Che Smith, argue the resolution targets some donors while allowing others like PACs to contribute.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has denied claims from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) that it is considering shortening the school year to save money. CPS stated that reducing instructional time is not an option.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will not cut instructional time or the Safe Passage program despite a $732 million budget deficit. The district plans to reduce non-classroom costs, including custodians and central office staff, while preserving partnerships with organizations like Youth Guidance and City Year. CPS CEO Macquline King confirmed no reductions in instructional time, though the Chicago Teachers Union was informed a shortened school year was under consideration.

Chicago school board elections this fall may leave many voters with only one candidate due to potential disqualification of 28 out of 51 candidates. Challenges to petition signatures, led by The Urban Center, allege violations of election law regarding signature collection methods, including the 'dual circulator argument.'

The Chicago Board of Education renewed charters for six charter school networks after a delayed vote, approving contracts with terms ranging from four to seven years. The decision followed a revamped oversight process aimed at addressing financial issues and preventing closures, amid criticism from some board members and the Chicago Teachers Union.

The Chicago Teachers Union is supporting Hilario Dominguez in the race for Chicago's first elected school board president. Dominguez, a former student and teacher at Chicago Public Schools, previously served as the Political Director of the CTU.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King will testify before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding policies supporting transgender and Black students amid Republican-led criticism. Local supporters, including Rep. Delia Ramirez and the Chicago Teachers Union, will advocate for King, who is defending programs like the Black Student Success Plan and transgender student protections.

Half of Chicago school board candidates are facing challenges, with CTU-aligned candidates prominently affected. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) claims it did not file any challenges, despite past accusations of using petition challenges to remove candidates. The CTU plans to provide legal support to challengeds without lawyers, while opponents like Common Ground Collective accuse the union of attempting to restrict civic engagement.

Dozens of Chicago seniors, including Jonathan Escobar, were forced to transfer schools after the ASPIRA charter network abruptly closed midyear due to financial issues. Escobar and over 500 students were relocated to district schools like Carl Schurz High School, where he eventually graduated despite initial uncertainty about passing his classes.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced her candidacy for Chicago mayor, criticizing incumbent Brandon Johnson for coddling criminals and being influenced by the Chicago Teachers Union. She highlighted her experience as a state legislator, city clerk, and comptroller to position herself as a financial and governance expert, contrasting her campaign's $1.6 million war chest with Alexi Giannoulias' $18.3 million fundraising.

Dozens of Chicago seniors, including Jonathan Escobar, were forced to transfer schools after two ASPIRA charter schools closed midyear due to financial issues. Escobar graduated from Carl Schurz High School, where he and 72 other ASPIRA seniors integrated into the school system.

Judy Mahoney, a clerk at Byrne Elementary in Chicago, faces job loss after Chicago Public Schools plans to eliminate her position by June 30. Paralyzed from the waist down in a 2017 car crash with a drunken driver, Mahoney has worked for CPS for 23 years and transitioned schools due to accessibility issues. Community members, staff, and union representatives rallied to support her retention.

Pope Leo XIV met with Chicago's mayor Brandon Johnson and George Floyd family lawyer Antonio Romanucci during a Vatican visit. Johnson presented Pope Leo with Chicago-themed gifts, including a Cubs hat the Pope declined to wear, and invited him to officiate a Holy Mass in Grant Park. The delegation included city leaders, the Chicago Teachers Union president, and advocates for immigration reform.

The Chicago school board postponed charter school renewal decisions for six of seven schools until June 10, citing ongoing oversight debates. District officials proposed a new monitoring process with longer renewal terms, but some board members, aligned with the Chicago Teachers Union, demanded stronger oversight due to recent financial instability in the charter sector. The Acero network, which closed seven campuses, received a five-year renewal recommendation.

Far-left groups are shifting focus from May Day protests to mobilize voters for the 2026 midterms, pushing Democrats further left and criticizing party leaders. The Working Families Party is playing a key role in this effort, endorsing candidates in various races. The party's influence is growing, with collective revenues of $2 billion among about 600 groups that organized May Day events.

Far-left groups are shifting their focus from May Day protests to mobilizing voters for the 2026 midterms, pushing Democrats further left and criticizing party leaders. The Working Families Party is exercising growing influence in electoral races throughout the country. They are endorsing candidates for offices ranging from the U.S. Senate to local school boards.

Chicago Public Schools face a truancy crisis as the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) prioritizes May Day protests over student education, with only 2 of 5 students reading at grade level. The CTU, accused of funneling millions into Democratic campaigns, collaborates with the National Education Association to promote 'social justice' curricula, while teachers advocate for politically motivated absences. The union has previously praised Venezuela's socialist regime under Maduro.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have declared May 1 a 'day of civil action' for students, allowing optional participation in civic events despite it being a full instructional day. CPS permits schools to organize civil engagement activities under existing policies, while CTU and Mayor Brandon Johnson frame the initiative as a defense of public education and workers' rights. Critics, including the Washington Post, have raised concerns about the union's focus on social justice initiatives.