Mayor Lightfoot has record resources for schools and city, but continues to fall short in equitably investing in critical needs
The 443 educator layoffs in Chicago Public Schools underscore ongoing failure of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s handpicked Board of Education to provide every school community with adequate funding for basic needs.

CTU responds to Gov. Pritzker’s budget address, need for additional revenue
We look forward to working with Gov. Pritzker and the General Assembly to continue increasing funding to CPS and moving toward real stability and predictability for parents, students and school communities.

CTU statement on Chicago City Council passage of mayor’s austerity budget
We should be expecting more from those whom the people elected to lead, but sadly, we have come to expect less from all levels of city government. Today was no exception.
Bargaining update: What’s on the table—and what must improve
An update on bargaining last week: We presented on issues that include REACH—proposing that highly rated (Proficient and Excellent), tenured members should be able to skip an evaluation cycle. We also presented moving to 25 steps for pay scales, and improving base pay...
The letter CPS SHOULD have sent to members on August 28
Download and share a copy of this corrected letter. Dear Colleagues, Today, we are pleased to announce that the Chicago Board of Education approved our proposed budget for FY2020 that reflects our continued financial stability and invests responsibly in the...
Mayor must declare TIF surplus, reinstate corporate head tax to tackle city budget issues
Mayor should seize available funding—and use it for the common good. CHICAGO, August 29, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response to Mayor Lightfoot’s public address on the City’s budget deficit: CTU has long...
CTU to ask board to delay vote on budget until funds are allocated more equitably
9:30 a.m. Wed., August 28: Press conference CPS headquarters, 42 W. Madison, Chicago $7.7 billion budget cuts funds to over 200 schools, fails to address acute staffing shortages, overcrowding, students’ educational and support needs. CHICAGO—CTU members will...
Tuesday, August 20, 3:45P – CTU to testify in opposition to CPS budget cuts
3:45 p.m. TODAY, Tues, Aug. 20: Press conference, CPS/BOE budget hearings CPS central offices, 42 W. Madison, Chicago CTU officers, rank and file to testify against proposed budget cuts to schools, frontline staff Proposed FY 2020 CPS budget cuts funding to hundreds...