Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Public Schools students are set to return after a brief break. To help families prepare for the reopening of the district, the Chicago Teacher's Union is providing supplies and support. This assistance comes despite the school district facing reported financial challenges.

A Chicago Board of Education member defended her vote to allocate $150 million from Springfield to balance the district's budget. The decision, controversial among some, was supported by progressives and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), who argue the state underfunds CPS.

Chicago Public Schools will open 15 more Sustainable Community Schools this year, expanding the program to 51 schools. The initiative, launched in 2018 with the Chicago Teachers Union, provides $500,000 annually to partner with nonprofits for student and family support. A Chalkbeat analysis highlights mixed outcomes, including higher graduation rates but also unspent funds and challenges in partnerships.

Chicago Public Schools will expand its Sustainable Community Schools program by adding 15 campuses, bringing the total to 51. These schools receive $500,000 annually to partner with nonprofits for student and family support, though prior analyses show mixed outcomes and unspent funds.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates pledged to collect petition signatures for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s re-election, citing his school funding efforts. The CTU and other teachers' unions contributed over $6 million to Johnson’s 2023 campaign. Critics highlight concerns over academic performance and the union’s $50 billion-plus demand list during 2024 negotiations.

Chicago school board approved a revised $10 billion budget to reverse hundreds of school staff layoffs, assuming an additional $150 million in state funding. The vote, influenced by the Chicago Teachers Union and principals union, created uncertainty about meeting payroll deadlines due to legal and financial risks.

Chicago Public Schools removed five furlough days from its budget proposal in response to community feedback and pushback from unions and board members. The district revised its TIF surplus revenue assumptions by $85 million to avoid unpaid staff days, though unions continue to criticize the revised proposal for insufficient staffing.

Governor Pritzker is urging the release of the full ethics report on Harry Benton. The Chicago Teachers Union is actively opposing Jessica Biggs' campaign for the Chicago School Board.

Hilario Dominguez, a candidate for Chicago school board president, faces a state complaint from challenger Hugo Jacobo alleging campaign finance violations. The complaint claims Dominguez's campaign committee, Friends of Hilario, submitted inaccurate filings reporting no funds raised or spent. Dominguez's campaign treasurer stated compliance will be addressed in future reports.

The union representing Chicago school support staff (SEIU Illinois State Council) endorsed Jessica Biggs for school board president and over a dozen district representatives, diverging from the Chicago Teachers Union's support for Hilario Dominguez. The split affects 10 school board races, with both unions backing different candidates, though they align on five others. SEIU's endorsement highlights Biggs' experience with school budget impacts and her prior role as a CPS principal.

Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) urged the Chicago Board of Education to reject a proposed $9.88 billion budget that includes furloughs, a spending freeze, and staff cuts to address a $732.5 million deficit. The budget proposal has sparked tensions, with teachers citing issues like large class sizes and inadequate custodial support, while the CTU demands increased state funding and legal action against Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas for delayed tax revenue.

Chicago Public Schools is conducting public budget hearings. The Chicago Teachers Union is opposing proposed job cuts and furlough days.

A two-day conference featuring socialist, anti-war, and pro-Palestinian activists at Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) headquarters has drawn criticism for prioritizing political activism over classroom concerns. The event included workshops on protest tactics, fundraising, and international labor ties, with rooms renamed after figures like Fidel Castro and Nicolás Maduro. CTU was not an official sponsor, but the venue displayed union signage, and speakers from groups like the U.S. Palestinian Community Network and Freedom Road Socialist Organization addressed attendees.

A two-day conference featuring socialist, anti-war, and pro-Palestinian activists at Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) headquarters drew criticism for prioritizing political activism over classroom issues. The event included workshops on protest tactics, fundraising, and international labor ties, with speakers from organizations like the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and U.S. Palestinian Community Network. CTU was not an official sponsor but had visible signage and a T-shirt mannequin at the venue.

Over $1.6 million has been raised in Chicago school board election campaigns since October, with contribution caps lifted for the board president race. Key candidates include Victor Hendorson, Hilario Dominguez, Jessica Biggs, Jennifer Custer, and Sendhil Revuluri, as Chicago prepares for its first fully elected school board in November.

Five candidates for Chicago's elected school board were removed from the ballot by the city's Board of Election Commissioners, leaving some districts with only one candidate. Removed candidates have five days to appeal, and the board also dismissed challenges for five other candidates.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) laid off 162 employees to address a $730 million budget deficit, saving $18 million. The layoffs include central office and citywide staff, with 38 represented by SEIU Local 73 and 25 by the Chicago Teachers Union. The district prioritized maintaining student-serving functions while cutting central non-essential services.

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) endorsed 15 candidates in the upcoming school board election, focusing on 10 incumbents and mayoral appointees. Notable exclusions include Yesenia Lopez, a prior CTU-endorsed candidate who voted independently. The CTU faces challenges in six districts due to lack of aligned candidates, and some races may be affected by petition challenges. The union's political action committees have limited funds but a large membership base for voter outreach.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) laid off 162 central and citywide employees to address a $730 million budget deficit, saving $18 million. The layoffs target departments like Career and College Success, Information and Technology Services, and others, with 38 employees represented by SEIU Local 73 and 25 by the 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.