Press Room

Our way forward as a city that cares about all its residents will be challenging, but with this first budget, which is now law, Mayor Johnson has shown us that it is possible.

Educators, families and community leaders at Instituto demand charter operator stop stalling and negotiate a contract that provides supportive and sustainable classrooms for educators and students

Today Illinois lawmakers made history by being the first state in the nation to eliminate a school voucher program, a “reform” effort started in 1956 by white parents in North Carolina seeking to stop public school integration.

Chicago Teachers Union raises concerns about Senate President’s last minute changes to elected school board bill.

The dueling pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice and inequity have made school extremely hard for a generation of students and their educators. Students and educators have worked tirelessly to create learning environments that support the whole child, but these efforts require additional investments.

In contrast to prior mayors, Mayor Johnson’s budget recommendations demonstrate a clear commitment to partnership and a willingness to uplift forgotten communities.

While Joyce no longer walks with us here on earth, her legacy lives on in the work of this union, our classrooms and our fight forward for the schools our kids deserve.

CHICAGO — On Wednesday evening, union educators and art instructors at Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) reached a tentative agreement with the school’s board of directors on a new four-year contract that will center the needs of the scholar-artists, students and their families who live at the core of the school’s mission.

Strike action has been suspended for Wednesday, September 6. We have not yet reached a tentative agreement, but substantial progress gives the bargaining team strong hope of an agreement without strike action. Stand by and continue to show solidarity.

ChiArts’ founder José Ochoa, management and foundation stand in the way of an equitable agreement to provide safe, supportive and well-resourced classrooms.

CHICAGO—With Friday marking an end to Chicago’s first week back at school, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates will make her final Back-To-School tour stop at Nicholson STEM Academy, located in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Utilizing technology to enhance the educational experiences for students and their families, Nicholson services a high number of students in temporary living situations.

As the city grapples with an Extreme Heat Watch, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates will visit with educators at Washington High School and uplift the solutions to aging public-school facilities.

This event will bring together educators, families and elected officials to help students say goodbye to summer and start the school year off strong.

The Chicago Teachers Union issued this statement after West Side Democratic committeepersons selected State Representative Lakesia Collins to replace 5th District State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, who resigned in late July.

Since Rainbow PUSH’s inception, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. has stood as a beacon of light for all those that seek to ensure true liberty, justice and fairness for all. Whether it be his work releasing American hostages abroad or his willingness to stand with educators on strike in Chicago for the schools our kids deserve in 2012 and 2019, Jackson has brought a sustained opposition to machine politics and has been an anchor to our multiracial, multiethnic and multigenerational coalition.

We stand in solidarity with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as they work to eradicate the two tiers of jobs where wages, benefits and union rights are unfairly curtailed.

CHICAGO – CTU President Stacy Davis Gates today issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decisions to upend relief for student loan borrowers and roll back rights of the LGBTQIA community: “Today, the Supreme Court’s decisions to block the Biden administration’s student debt relief plan and their move to restrict the rights of the LGBTQIA community represent yet another attack on students, the Black and Brown community and all those seeking to live out their American Dream. Today’s decision comes on the heels of the court’s move yesterday to gut Affirmative Action in higher-education admissions, and it has turned a blind eye to the compounded impact of racism and discrimination on our nation.”

CHICAGO — CTU President Stacy Davis Gates issued the following statement regarding today’s Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action programs: “Today’s ruling opens up yet another tear in the fabric of our democracy…We refuse to stand idly by.”

CHICAGO — On Wednesday, CTU members, students and community members will hold a press conference demanding that the mayoral-controlled CPS comply with the law and ensure that all the city public schools are healthy, climate-resilient and well resourced to prepare students for the 21st century. Coming on the heels of CTU’s first annual Environmental Justice (EJ) Freedom School, a program designed to equip students with the means to become agents of environmental change in their communities, the press conference will incorporate the voices of students and their campaign to make sure that their school buildings are safe, welcoming, thriving, green and sustainable, which is especially important given the current state of unhealthy air quality throughout Chicago.

Chicago Teachers Union welcomes significant agreement as important step toward historic partnership with district leaders.

CHICAGO–On Thursday, Acero Educators are expected to vote overwhelmingly to approve a tentative agreement with the Acero Charter Schools, ushering in a new era for the operator and its relationship with educators, their students and the educational community it serves. This development stands in stark contrast to the obstacles erected by CICS and Christopher House charter school as educators there pursue the same common-sense contract provisions that Acero and district educators now enjoy.

Union House of Delegates issues no confidence vote in Stephanie Jones–CPS’ Chief of the Office of Diverse Learners Supports and Services –after revelations of continued illegal use of physical restraints on students with disabilities

CHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Thursday commended the Illinois General Assembly for passing a bill that protects Illinois educators from intimidation, retaliation and interference when they organize to join a union in privately operated charter schools, a move that will help educators improve the teaching and learning conditions in their schools. The legislation, HB 1120, requires charter school operators taking public school funding to include a labor neutrality clause as part of its school authorization. Under such a clause, an employer agrees to refrain from opposing or taking a position on union organizing by their employees.

Collaboration between union and district is a central part of Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s plans for delivering on the promise of fully funded neighborhood public schools

Time and again, educators and school personnel across this city have been called to do more with less. And now is the time for that to change.