CTU Springfield Legislative Update

The CTU had a very effective week in the Illinois legislature. Three pieces of CTU legislation passed the Illinois House late last week, and the Union and our legislative allies are positioning a fourth to move forward. These bills impact our ability to further organize workers in charter schools, address staffing shortages, and direct the State Board of Education to assess the educator evaluation system in Illinois.

CTU year in review: Making history in Springfield

CTU year in review: Making history in Springfield

There is power in the rank and file — power that comes from transformative leadership in our schools and communities. Legislative wins stand as a testament to the legacy of Karen Lewis, changing the landscape of public education in Chicago Passing bills in the...

Springfield Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The spring legislative session in Springfield has now ended – and the CTU’s legislative agenda advanced important improvements and protections for CTU members and the students and families we serve. This year had already been a huge success in the legislature – we...
Legislative Update for Spring Session 2021

Legislative Update for Spring Session 2021

The Illinois General Assembly has started its spring legislative session, and CTU is there advocating for what our schools need. Our goal is to build on our recent victories and to pass legislation that makes concrete improvements in school governance and oversight and that allows us to be more effective in our work.

Congressman García and Chicago-area state legislators urge safety and resources

Congressman García and Chicago-area state legislators urge safety and resources

Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García wrote to President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona about the need for resources and cooperation in reopening schools, echoing the concerns that the Chicago Teachers Union has raised about Mayor Ligghtfoot’s reopening plan. On the same day, 23 state legislators from the Chicago area wrote to the mayor, the Board of Education and CPS leadership urging cooperation, caution and resources in reopening schools.

Restore Our Bargaining Rights

Restore Our Bargaining Rights

HB 2275 will restore bargaining rights to CTU and all other CPS unions that were eliminated by the 1995 amendatory act. Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have passed it. IL House Speaker Welch needs to send the bill now to Governor Pritzker so he can sign it. Write them both and your state representative to urge action as soon as possible on this bill which can impact the safe reopening agreement under negotiation now between CTU and CPS.

Email Gov. Pritzker: Request HB2275 to Sign

Email Gov. Pritzker: Request HB2275 to Sign

On January 11, 2021, the Illinois Senate ratified HB2275, a bill that reinstates the bargaining rights taken from unions representing CPS employees back in 1995. The only remaining step in the repeal of the onerous 1995 language is for Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign the legislation. Send Gov. Pritzker a message urging him to request the legislation from House Speaker Welch so he can sign it.