Alderman Lopez targets teachers for ‘electioneering’ in wake of poor forum performance
In move that one teacher calls ‘Trumpish’, Lopez targets teachers in electioneering complaint after students ask him hard questions at aldermanic forums. CHICAGO, March 20, 2019—15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez takes a lot. He takes money from the GEO group,...Sharkey: “Grave concerns about Lori Lightfoot’s plans for our schools”
Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot has no record of leadership in public education, yet has presented a number troubling issues for Chicago teachers, clinicians, paraprofessionals and education support staff.
CTU stands with CSO strikers as Mabie and fellow board members wage war on pensions for musicians and teachers
Wealthy CSO board treasurer James Mabie co-founded ChiArts high school—and both outfits refuse to fund workers’ pensions. CHICAGO—Finance executives have salivated for decades at the prospect of getting their hands on workers’ retirement nest eggs and the...Restoring Our Bargaining Rights
HB 2275, a bill to restore CTU’s bargaining rights, passed the House Labor committee and moves to the full House for a vote, potentially as soon as next week. The bill’s chief sponsor is Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin (D-10). The bill’s counterpart in...With less than two weeks until Election Day, support CTU-endorsed candidates
When it comes to public education, Toni Preckwinkle is the best choice for mayor.
Scraps for schools comes with distorted priorities, huge handouts to wealthy developers
Emanuel’s token funding for schools cannot erase injustice of multi-billion dollar handouts to wealthy developers, academy project jammed through over community opposition, as Black male youth are pushed out of CPS—or die—before they can graduate. CHICAGO, March...
UIC, give your graduate workers a fair contract
For more than a year, management has rejected living wages or fee waivers for its most critical frontline workers, the highly skilled teaching assistants and graduate assistants who anchor UIC’s mission. CHICAGO, March 19, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the...2019 General Session Legislative Agenda
In the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) this calendar year, CTU has worked with friendly elected officials to introduce a number of bills. The proposed legislation aims to improve the governance, funding, working conditions, and operations of the Chicago Public...
CTU bargaining update
CTU President Jesse Sharkey with a bargaining update for our rank-and-file members, and an overview of Union goals, campaigns and priorities as we move toward spring.
Chico and Vallas and their corporate mayoral candidate
Lightfoot’s willingness to embrace worst predators in public school space underscores her unfitness for office. CHICAGO, March 14, 2019—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in wake of the announcement that public...
We stand with striking musicians
Any attack on the right to a retirement with dignity is wrong – whether it’s at a school like ChiArts, which is training the next generation of artists or a world class institution like the CSO, where our students aspire to perform one day, says CTU. CHICAGO, March...
7AM, Tues.: Teachers to oppose CPS test that undercuts newly arrived immigrant children
Forcing non-English-speaking students to take high-stakes test robs children of valuable learning time and undercuts students’ education, charge teachers, who urge CPS to support parents who want to opt out their children. CHICAGO—A third of Chicago’s public school...
Protest, 4:30P Monday, 3/11: ChiArts management locks public out of board meeting as contract talks drag
Press conference: 4:30PM Monday, March 11 ChiArts High School, 2714 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago Teachers to rally to demand fair contract as CTU members mull strike at ChiArts, what would be first strike of a publicly funded contract school in U.S. history....Addressing Substitute Teacher Shortage
The CTU is working to address the substitute teacher shortage through two bills – HB 2968, introduced by State Rep. Will Davis (30th District), and SB 1584, introduced by State Senator Omar Aquino (2nd District).
Campaign donation exposes who Lightfoot will really serve: wealthy elites and education privatizers
Lightfoot campaign wins backing from same corporate player that embraced Emanuel austerity agenda and Republican education voucher scheme. CHICAGO—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today after mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot picked up her...
Educators, families, community groups to protest today demanding that Ald. Cappleman cancel Thursday’s Zoning Committee Vote on Lincoln Yards
CPS parents, students and teachers call on 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman to cancel vote on Lincoln Yards project by rubber stamp City Council and let Chicagoans weigh in on the $1.3 billion decision when they vote in April 2 run-off election.
CTU blasts former CPS CEO for rejecting democracy, accountability for public schools
Chicagoans have demanded an elected representative school board as a progressive alternative to the insider deals, chronic neglect and racist, classist policies of Rahm, Duncan and Daley. CHICAGO, March 1, 2019—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued...
Our union and our allies are changing the narrative in Chicago
Chicago voters have reiterated their tremendous desire for change in this city, strengthening a movement for educational, social, racial and economic justice that will not rest until that justice comes.
10AM Wed. : Parents, alderman, CTU to demand immediate action from CPS board on critical school issues
Press conference: 10AM Wed., Feb. 27 CPS headquarters, 42 W. Madison St., Chicago Massive overcrowding and under-resourcing in neighborhood public schools to bring out parents and South Side alderman in push for equity for neglected public schools. CHICAGO—41 students...
CTU President Emerita Karen Lewis endorses Toni Preckwinkle for mayor
NEWS STATEMENT: For Immediate Release Contact: K. Lewis spokesperson Stephanie Gadlin, 312-890-0866, sgadlin@abundantpr.com The ‘office of mayor is nobody’s inheritance’, says...Elementary and H.S. schedule/flex vote for SY 2019-2020 (Vote should be taken by April 5, 2019)
UPDATE: Please consult our Schedule Votes guidance page for full information, including forms and sample forms. Elementary 15-Minute Model Schedule/ Prep Votes: There are three models presented for the 15-minute prep periods. The principal, after consultation with the...
Take the Polar Plunge!
Join the Chicago Teachers Union on March 3 to benefit Special Children’s Charities and Special Olympics Chicago.
Pritzker budget promises hope for public schools
Increase in evidence-based funding recognizes need to drive more resources to students whose schools have suffered from decades of separate and unequal funding. CHICAGO, February 20, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response to...
Griffin’s support for Daley tells us all we need to know about Daley agenda
Time to end corporate cronyism, giveaways to wealthy elites, institutional racism and lethal austerity of Daley, Emanuel and their rich business backers. CHICAGO—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response to news that hedge fund...General CTU Announcement
2019 Chicago Elections
Chicago is on the cusp of a new political era. Movements for fundamental change—led in no small part by the CTU—have altered the political calculus in this city. We drove out Rahm Emanuel and we have a chance, now, to impact who runs City Hall. We’ve taken the reins in that process. Now, we need every member and supporter to put in the work.
Let’s make CTU’s vision the dominant narrative in this election.
