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September 29, 2022
Friday, 4P: Street in front of CTU headquarters to be renamed “Karen Lewis CTU Way”
Rank-and-file CTU members, elected officials will come together at 4 p.m. to honor Lewis’ transformational leadership of union and Chicago’s progressive movement. 4 p.m. Friday, September 30: Street renaming ceremony, CTU headquarters, 1901 W. Carroll. CHICAGO —The Chicago Teachers Union will honor their beloved President Emerita Karen GJ Lewis on Friday by renaming the street […]
Tags: Karen GJ Lewis, Karen Lewis
September 28, 2022
Our comprehensive blueprint for real equity in Chicago’s public schools
“Schools Chicago Students Deserve 3.0” brings a groundbreaking 2012 CTU report further into the 21st century, with focus on COVID-19 pandemic recovery and equity for hundreds of neglected Black and Latinx families and school communities.
September 9, 2022
CTU statement on today’s shooting near Kenwood Academy High School
Mothers don’t send our children to school to be murdered. Mayor Lightfoot and every single decision maker in this city owe us more. We demand more.
August 22, 2022
Excitement, joy and challenge as the new school year begins
Dear fellow CTU members! Welcome to the 2022 – 2023 school year. I hope you had a restful summer break and were able to relax and recharge your batteries for the year ahead, now that students have joined us in our school buildings. When I was in the classroom, the first day of school back […]
Tags: COVID-19
August 19, 2022
CTU kicks off school year with inauguration of new officers, call for more equitable, joyous school day for students
Rank and file expected to vote next week to ensure continuing COVID safety protections for students, staff as families ready for new school year and CTU celebrates 85th anniversary of union’s founding. 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21: Inauguration of new CTU officers, CTU headquarters, 1901 W. Carroll. 7 a.m., Monday, August 22: back-to-school press availability […]
July 26, 2022
Lightfoot using GOP tactics to fire teachers, environmental activists
At a time of attacks on educators from red states and Republican lawmakers for teaching the truth about our country’s history, it’s disgraceful that educators are targeted by the mayor for protecting their students and their school communities.
Tags: General Iron, George Washington High School, Mayor Lori Lightfoot
9A Wed: Lightfoot must provide students with enough educators, support staff, healthy facilities to recover from COVID
As virus again spikes, new school year approaches and trauma needs among students and staff intensify, educators urge stepped up ventilation, vax plan, desperately needed facilities repairs, more nurses, more educators for special education, English language learners. 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 27: Educators and allies call for education equity, CPS headquarters, 42 W. Madison, Chicago. […]
Tags: COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot
June 29, 2022
A victorious night for our education champions
Illinois State Representative Delia Ramirez in the 3rd Congressional District, and businessman and activist Jonathan Jackson in the 1st, lead a number of election night wins for CTU-endorsed candidates.
Tags: Election, Primary Election
June 24, 2022
CTU statement on today’s Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
The Chicago Teachers Union issued this statement today regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, striking down the constitutional right to abortion.
Tags: Dobbs v. Jackson, Reproductive Rights, Roe v. Wade, SCOTUS: Supreme Court of the United States
June 10, 2022
Mayor’s layoffs of educators hit schools struggling with inequity, ongoing pandemic harms
Lightfoot saddles district with $175 million pension bill instead of funding critical positions — librarians, social workers, technology coordinators — in every school. CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 — The Chicago Teachers Union released this statement following word that layoff notices began circulating Friday among educators and support staff, while the district runs a billion dollar […]
Tags: budget cuts, Layoffs, Lori Lightfoot
June 8, 2022
Chase families, students to mayor: don’t force deaf and hard-of-hearing children out of our school community
In a month dedicated to promoting inclusiveness and diversity, CPS moves to eject deaf and hard-of-hearing children from elementary school that has spent seven years building deep ties and a rich community among hearing and non-hearing students. 7:00 a.m. Thursday, June 9: Educators, parents, students oppose mayor’s closure of deaf and hard-of-hearing program, Chase Elementary, […]
Tags: Chase Elementary, deaf and hard of hearing, DHH, Lori Lightfoot
June 7, 2022
Mayor starts re-election bid by balancing City budget on the backs of CPS students
Lightfoot saddles district with $175 million pension bill instead of funding critical positions — librarians, social workers, technology coordinators — in every school. CHICAGO, June 7, 2022 — The Chicago Teachers Union released this statement following the public circulation of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s FY22-23 Chicago Public Schools budget: The mayor is launching her re-election bid […]
Tags: budget cuts, Lori Lightfoot
June 3, 2022
In historic union drive, ChiArts part-time teaching artists vote to join CTU
Stagnant wages, lack of job security, no basic rights fueled this week’s vote by artists who serve as part-time educators — from voice teachers to video instructors — to join their full-time colleagues in the CTU. CHICAGO, June 3, 2022 — Teaching artists and school office staff at Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) […]
June 1, 2022
CTU educators join parents, families stricken by violence in vigil calling for resources, support to help communities heal
Families, communities struggling with daily tragedy from violence cry out for more support while facing chronic disinvestment and bracing for mayor’s $60+ million in staffing and program cuts across half of CPS schools. 5:30 p.m. (gather), 6:00 p.m. (start), Thursday, June 2: Vigil against violence, Beidler Elementary, 3151 W. Walnut St., Chicago. CHICAGO — Educators […]
Tags: budget cuts, COVID-19, Gun Violence, Lori Lightfoot
May 28, 2022
3:30P Tues: Little Village educators, families, electeds mobilize against steep budget cuts at already starved schools
Lightfoot’s CPS team slashes over $3 million from Little Village school budgets as district sits on $1.4 billion in federal COVID relief dollars, low-balls scope of harm from cuts to critical programs. 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31: Protest, press conference with educators, families, students, elected officials, under the Little Village Arch, 26th and Albany, Chicago. […]
Tags: Budget, COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot, student-based budgeting
May 24, 2022
Uvalde: We grieve and call for urgent action
The Chicago Teachers Union issued the following statement today in wake of news of another devastating mass shooting that’s taken the lives of at least 14 children and an educator in Uvalde, Texas.
May 23, 2022
Hibbard elementary educators, families join fight against devastating, unnecessary CPS budget cuts
With the Albany Park community still reeling from two years of trauma and loss from the devastating pandemic, CPS is imposing $430,000 in budget cuts at HIbbard Elementary, a beloved school in the predominantly Latinx community. But the school community is fighting back.
Tags: budget cuts, COVID-19, Hibbard Elementary, Lori Lightfoot
May 18, 2022
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 desperately need stable supports.. 7:00 a.m. THURSDAY, May 19 : Haines elementary school […]
Tags: budget cuts, COVID-19, Haines elementary, Lori Lightfoot
May 16, 2022
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, press availability with rank and file CTU charter educators, officers, allies. CPS headquarters, 42 W. Madison, Chicago […]
Tags: charter operators, COVID-19, CTU-ACTS
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 of a city with a large population of […]
Tags: Buffalo NY, Comer College Prep, Seandell Holliday, violence
April 26, 2022
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. 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 27: press conference with parents, educators, CTU officers. CPS headquarters, 42 […]
April 25, 2022
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 parents, CTU educators, CTU officers. Zapata Elementary School, 2728 S. Kostner Ave., Chicago CHICAGO — […]
Tags: COVID-19, CPS budget, SBB: Student Based Budgeting, Zapata
April 20, 2022
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 for the Arts – unionized with the CTU in 2018, educators […]
April 8, 2022
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. We’ve shared a variety of positive legislative developments this session, including the […]
Tags: EITC, tax credit
April 7, 2022
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 General Assembly in what’s turning out to be both […]
Tags: COVID-19, lapsed educator license, professional development
CTU Speaks! Podcast
Our podcast, CTU Speaks! is hosted by Andrea Parker and Jim Staros. We’ll chat about our union, enforcing our contract, and our fight for the schools our students and educators deserve.