
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has recently unveiled a bold demand for an additional $50 billion in funding, sparking debate over its inclusion of non-educational priorities such as abortion access and services for illegal immigrants.
According to leaked documents obtained by Fox News, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates outlined a comprehensive list of demands, which notably includes a yearly wage increase of at least 9% for all CTU members until Fiscal Year 2028. This proposed salary boost, if implemented, would see the average Chicago teacher’s salary rise to $144,620 by the 2027-2028 academic year.
Beyond financial considerations, the CTU’s demands extend to social and healthcare policies, such as the provision of 100% coverage for abortion and fertility services, including the storage of frozen embryos. Additionally, the union calls for the establishment of a “newcomer liaison” in each of the 646 schools within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system to assist illegal immigrant children entering the school system, along with the repurposing of unused school facilities to provide housing for undocumented individuals.
The Chicago Teachers Union is demanding a new contract that pays for free abortions, $2,000 for each illegal immigrant, for unused schools to be turned into migrant homes, they want the ability to lie to parents about their kid’s gender identity and $50 billion in wage hikes to… pic.twitter.com/gTZpI8ORGh
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) May 5, 2024
Critics have voiced concerns over the feasibility and appropriateness of the CTU’s demands, particularly given the substantial budgetary implications. The CPS budget for this year alone is estimated at around $9 billion, making the proposed $50 billion expansion seem disproportionately large. Moreover, the total tax base receipts for the entire state of Illinois in 2023 amounted to approximately $50.7 billion, highlighting the magnitude of the CTU’s financial request.
The CTU’s political influence within Illinois, particularly in Chicago, has been underscored by its significant campaign contributions to local politicians, including Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), who has received substantial support from the union. Despite this, the CTU has faced criticism for its handling of education during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with concerns raised over declining educational standards in the city.