Chicago City Wire

CHICAGO (April 15, 2024) – The current Chicago Teachers Union contract is set to expire on June 30, 2024, and as details of the union's demands emerge, Chicagoans are bracing themselves for what could be a significant departure from traditional negotiations.

Analysis from the Illinois Policy Institute has revealed that the Chicago Teachers Union's demands extend far beyond the usual scope of government union contracts, delving into areas such as housing, the environment, and healthcare, in addition to seeking substantial pay raises.

Among the most contentious demands is the proposal for extensive pay hikes, with the average teacher potentially seeing an increase of $51,000 in wages through fiscal year 2028. This, coupled with demands for taxpayer funding to assist teachers in purchasing homes and providing rental assistance for families, paints a picture of a contract that could have far-reaching financial implications for the city.

Furthermore, the union is pushing for initiatives such as using schools as temporary shelters for homeless families, transitioning to a 100% electric bus fleet, and including health insurance coverage for services like abortion and weight-loss drugs in the contract.

Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy at the Illinois Policy Institute, expressed concern over the nature of these demands, stating, "These demands are far outside the scope of traditional bargaining, putting taxpayer dollars on the line in pursuit of more union power and social activism."

The Institute is currently assessing the potential costs of these demands, but it is clear that meeting them would require a significant financial reorganization, likely leading to increased taxes for Chicago residents.

In light of these developments, Smith called for Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has close ties to the CTU, to recuse himself from the negotiations, emphasizing the need for a neutral party to represent the interests of Chicagoans.

As Chicago prepares for what could be a landmark teachers' contract negotiation, the full list of demands can be accessed for further scrutiny.