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CTU election results: Rank-and-file members re-elect CORE to lead union
Election results mark the fifth term in office for the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators, which was first elected to Union leadership in 2010 with Karen Lewis as president, followed by re-elections in 2013 and 2019, and an uncontested election in 2016.
read moreIn historic organizing drive, ChiArts teaching artists seek to join CTU
Stagnant wages, lack of job security or basic rights fuel push by artists – from voice teachers to video instructors – to join union with full-time educators. CHICAGO, April 20, 2022 — Since full-time teachers and paraprofessionals at ChiArts – the Chicago High School...
Lawsuit by candidates seeking union office would delay CTU elections, undermine internal union democracy
The Chicago Teachers Union is asking a Cook County judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against CTU that seeks to stall upcoming elections for Union officers and delegates, which are scheduled for May 20. The Union argues that the plaintiffs’ lawsuit amounts to an attack...
PSRP Corner: Defending our Tech Cos
Technology Coordinators — tech cos — have always provided essential services to our school communities, but during the pandemic their roles were even more essential. But CPS is considering outsourcing these vital positions, prompting our union to fight back.
More legislative wins as Springfield nears end of legislative session
CTU Legislative and Policy Director Kurt Hilgendorf emailed this legislative update to rank and file CTU members on Friday, April 8, 2022. We are down to the wire in Springfield, where the legislature is expected to finish this session's work by midnight tonight....
Resolution to Support CTU Technology Coordinators
This resolution calling for a campaign in defense of Technology Coordinators was adopted by the April 6, 2022 House of Delegates meeting.
90% cut in lapsed educator license fee, 20% cut in PD requirement for renewal cycle
CTU Legislative and Policy Director Kurt Hilgendorf sent this legislative update to rank and file CTU members on Thursday, April 7, 2022. As you may know, the legislative session is set to end in Springfield on Friday, and we continue to move our bills through the...
School budgets must support the right to recovery
CPS is proposing more than 200 schools receive budget cuts for the 2022 school year of more than $42 million, at a time when the district is sitting on billions in federal stimulus money. That’s just half a percentage point of the annual operating budget, or just 1.5 percent of the total $2.6 billion plus in federal COVID relief CPS has received since 2020.
COVID sick pay for members is now law
CTU President Jesse Sharkey sent this eblast to members announcing the signing of HB 1167 today by Governor Pritzker Wednesday morning. Late this morning, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 1167 into law, formally establishing COVID administrative leave for...
A world in crisis: teaching about Ukraine
Jackson Potter recently asked students in his Global Politics classes to respond to a new Freedom House study that found just one in five people now live in countries designated as “free.” The context of the students’ responses were firmly embedded in their concerns around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is unfolding before their eyes on television and social media.
New Springfield wins: ‘Too young to test’, more retiree sub days
Legislative update to rank and file CTU members, Saturday, April 2, 2022: On Friday, we shared the news about the COVID sick days bill. With just one more week in the legislative session, both houses are ramping up their work, and two more of our bills passed the...
PSRP Corner: On the front lines in our school communities
The Internet and the news are awash with stories of how young people are dealing with the stress and anxiety of the pandemic. Educators are reporting more discipline problems, students acting out and even engaging in self harm. And the PSRPs in our school are on the frontlines dealing with these crises.
Apply for the 2022 Summer Organizing Institute today!
Applications are being accepted for the CTU’s Summer Organizing Institute. Take a leading role in the campaign to promote our members’ rights and fight for educational justice! This year’s institute will provide training in organizing skills, leadership and union and community education issues.
Spring in-person regional PSRP meetings energize, engage members
CTU held a series of regional PSRP meetings this spring to allow members to engage with each other and with CTU staff.
Victory in Springfield: COVID sick days bill goes to Governor
Good news! Thanks to your support, advocacy and solidarity over the past two years, HB 1167, the bill to create and restore COVID sick days for school employees who must quarantine, passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday and is now on its way to Gov. Pritzker.
How Nixon safety committee flipped school to remote amid COVID crisis
With 43 percent of classes in quarantine in late January, the Nixon Elementary Safety Committee sprang into action. After a three-hour meeting, the committee decided to flip the entire school to remote.
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