A message of thanks to our rank and file
11/23/22 holiday message to rank and file CTU members from officers: Dear CTU family, As the Thanksgiving holiday nears, we write to thank you for your humanity, hard work and tireless commitment to our students this school year. We hope that this holiday break gives...Sign up by Nov. 30! ‘Punch 9’ film screening and curriculum for teachers
Harold Washington’s 1983 campaign for mayor galvanized the City’s progressive community, and inspired Black and Brown Chicagoans across the city — despite fierce opposition from the city’s power brokers and political elites. On December 5, see ‘Punch 9 for...New podcast episode! Rating REACH
Teacher evaluations could be a valuable part of helping educators get better at their craft. But that’s not how they work at Mayor Lightfoot’s CPS. Instead, they chiefly reflect whether a given school gets the resources it needs — or not. That’s why a great teacher...Pushing back against inappropriate REACH PTs before Dec. 2 deadline
As many know, the deadline for REACH PTs is December 2. As many ALSO know, this year’s performance tasks have drawn complaints from across the district for being wildly developmentally inappropriate, entirely too late, and generally doing what so many of these testing...Honor a Substitute In Your Building
Every other month, the CTU honors two substitutes doing the essential work to keep schools running in the face of staffing shortages and teacher absences. The next round of awards will be issued at the December 7 House of Delegates, so submit a nomination today!
We surveyed educators on REACH PTs this year. The responses were troubling.
We’ve surveyed rank and file members about issues related to REACH PTs. We heard back from educators across the district, and the responses were troubling. Scroll down for some observations from fellow members: We’ll start with a communication that the...Pushing back against REACH Performance Tasks
The exchange between rank and file CTU bilingual kindergarten teacher Neysa Rivera and CPS on CPS’ appallingly inappropriate 2022-23 Kindergarten Literacy REACH Performance Task, which some teachers have reported is so difficult and inappropriate it’s made...
Solidarity with Cook County nurse under attack for supporting Workers Rights Amendment
Falguni Dave, a critical care RN and union activist for her involvement in the campaign to pass the Illinois Workers Rights amendment. Off the clock Falguni took a picture which was used for postcards and a Facebook post promoting the Illinois workers rights amendment. Hospital management is accusing her now of violating the hospital’s social media policy.
Notice of Election of the CTU Executive Board Retiree Functional Vice President
This letter was mailed by United States Postal Service, dated November 4, 2022, to all members of the retired group of the Chicago Teachers Union and was emailed to all retired members whose email address was accepting CTU emails on this date, Friday, November 18, 2022.
Procedures for the Election of the CTU Executive Board Retiree Functional Vice President
These procedures for the 2023 election of the Retiree Functional Vice President are posted in accordance with the CTU Constitution and By-laws.
How I spent election day
Paula Ladin was one of hundreds of rank and file CTU members and allies volunteering on Election Day. In this post, she shares her experience and encourages other members to volunteer because it’s “an antidote to feeling helpless or hopeless.”
Join the Chicago Marathon “Team to End Homelessness”
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, who work closely with the CTU in advocating for our students in temporary living situations, is inviting you to join their team in the Chicago Marathon. Join by November 17 for a lower minimum donation threshold.
Solidarity with the Starbucks Strikers!
Starbucks baristas from across the U.S. are holding a one-day strike on Thursday, November 17, and they’re asking for solidarity from trade unionists everywhere.
Report card pickup for educators who are parents or guardians
Are you a parent or guardian of a student? Do you have a conflict on report card day when you are expected to be at your school and also at your child/children’s school/s? If so, reach out to your principal to inform them that you will need some time to go to your child/children’s school or to hold a remote conference with your child’s teacher/teachers.
We celebrate our PSRPs, the beloved backbone of our schools
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 16 is PSRP Appreciation Day across the state of Illinois! Since 2006, PSRP Appreciation Day has been set aside to recognize the school clerks, teacher and library assistants, technology coordinators, hearing and vision screeners, parent advocates, ESL interpreters and many more who make our schools run.
Teaching powers systemic change for high school educator Lauren Bianchi
Lauren Bianchi was in a pre-nursing track at University of Illinois-Chicago in 2012 when the CTU went on strike, an action that influenced her to decision to become an educator. She saw teachers fighting for systemic changes and wanted to be a part of that movement.
What drives CTU lead organizer Tennille Evans? Family, church – and empowering members
Members have seen CTU Lead Organizer Tennille Evans whipping up the crowd and belting out chants and songs in her beautiful, powerful voice at union rallies, events and parties. She uses that booming voice to empower members to stand up for themselves.
Fired up delegates and school leaders conference targets building strength in schools, city
Dear {{ FirstName | default: ‘CTU family’ }}: Shoutouts to the hundreds of CTU rank and file members who came out for today’s Delegates and School Leaders Training – the first time we’ve been able to come together in person since before the pandemic! The...Care room attendants, COVID safety next steps
We’ve gotten news from CPS that 80% of all of our schools have elected to maintain their care room attendants, which are provided centrally by the district through an outside vendor. These positions were established by CTU and SEIU in our safety agreements to ensure...Another CTU victory for sanctuary, immigrant students
Dear CTU family: It’s been a long struggle, but CPS has at last released letters to educators and families outlining sanctuary rights for our immigrant students. We fought for and won these basic protections in our 2019 contract, but CPS has dragged to deploy...Updates on Bilingual Education and Sanctuary Schools
Read updates on IEP Interpreter restrictions and on IEP Interpreter stipends from the 2021–22 school year. Read an update on donations for newcomer students and on the sanctuary letter that CPS finally released after three years of advocacy from CTU members and families.
Husband of late CTU President Karen Lewis on her legacy and the race for mayor of Chicago
John “Coach” Lewis, husband of late CTU President Emerita Karen GJ Lewis, issued the following statement today in response to references to President Lewis by candidates for mayor of Chicago and their supporters.
The Grievance Department is hiring a field representative!
This position serves the entire Chicago Teachers Union membership to help members address contract violations. The duties include, but are not limited to, addressing and investigating member concerns, counseling members on how to resolve grievances, providing support at grievance, arbitration, disciplinary, DCFS and investigatory hearings; and helping members to organize and fight against abusive principals, policies and practices.
CTU candidates sweep elections, build momentum for Brandon Johnson’s run for mayor
Union sees 34 out of 34 victories for the night, with rank and file members pushing hard for signatures for Brandon Johnson, as voters embrace CTU values and platform on election day.
