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7A Thurs: Haines Elementary families join educators to demand reversal of mayor’s devastating school budget cuts
With schools currently funded at only 65% ‘adequacy’, mayor’s $60+ million budget cuts come as CPS sits on $1.4 billion in federal COVID relief dollars and low-balls scope of harm, which will force split classrooms, larger classes, less resources for students who...
Older Press Releases
CTU charter school educators to rally for accountability, equity from operators, mayor’s CPS ‘oversight’ team
Unionized charter school teachers and support staff at over 30 schools with 13 different operators launch unified contract campaign to reduce desperate staff shortages, strengthen affordable health care for workers, stabilize schools. 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 17: Rally,...
CTU statement on weekend violence, addressing pain of Chicago youth
CHICAGO, May 16, 2022 — The Chicago Teachers Union issued this statement today following another violent weekend in Chicago that led to the tragic death of a CPS student and a 6 p.m. weekend curfew for unaccompanied young people in Millennium Park: Why does a Black...
Mayor must reverse school cuts and invest COVID funds in students needs and recovery
Lightfoot’s CPS team has $1.4 billion in unspent federal COVID relief funds, but is imposing massive cuts on schools in special education, trauma supports, other critical needs, creating larger class sizes, fewer supports and hunger games of disinvestment and neglect....
Zapata joins public schools across city in rejecting devastating CPS budget cuts
CPS hoarding $1.4 billion in federal COVID relief dollars, low-balling scope of budget cuts, which will result in split classrooms, bigger classes, less resources for students who need more social emotional support. 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26: press conference with...
In 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...
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....
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...
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...
CTU asks court to bar ongoing union election interference
Front group exposed in February currently hiring to continue illegal campaign to interfere in CTU's internal union officer elections, while second outside group surfaces, violating labor law to push its own candidates in May CTU officers race. 10:30 a.m. Thursday,...
ULP charge now moves to trial before an administrative law judge
The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, chaired by former CPS lawyer Lara Shayne, holds off on preliminary injunction; unfair labor practice (ULP) case over Mayor Lightfoot’s and district’s disregard for January CTU/CPS safety agreement heads to trial.
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