Chicago City Wire

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is facing scrutiny after the district sent an email promoting “sidewalk solidarity walk-ins” organized by the Chicago Teachers Union—just one day after President Trump threatened to deploy federal troops to the city.

Ald. Ray Lopez of the 15th Ward said the effort prioritizes politics over academics.

“Once again the CTU chooses to use our students as pawns for political indoctrination, rather than focus on teaching them important curriculum and using this opportunity in history to discuss the civic lessons applicable,” Lopez told Chicago City Wire.  

15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez | Facebook/ Raymond A. Lopez

“CPS supports educators, families, and students using their First Amendment rights to make their voices heard on issues,” the official press release emailed to families reads. “Tomorrow, CPS will be providing important safety information to families and staff regarding the potential deployment of additional federal agents to Chicago.”

The statement was sent via email using taxpayer funds to parents of students enrolled in CPS, the fourth largest school district in the nation, which includes more than 325,000 students across 644 schools.

The union-backed action is part of a nationwide teacher protest, coinciding with a student-led walkout organized by Students Demand Action. 

The CTU’s walkout came after President Donald Trump vowed to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago following a violent Labor Day weekend that left at least eight people dead. 

In 2024, Chicago remained the nation’s homicide capital for the 13th consecutive year, recording 573 murders and maintaining the highest total murder rate among major U.S. cities.

Despite opposition from Gov. JB Pritzker and local officials, Trump insisted he has the authority to act unilaterally, calling Chicago the “murder capital” of the world.

“As Trump threatens to occupy Chicago, we’re standing shoulder to shoulder with our school communities,” CTU said of the Sept. 5 protest in a post on X. “Educators will be leafleting at drop-off and pick-up with’Defend Your Rights’ flyers to make sure every family knows.” 

According to Illinois Policy, the CTU is increasingly acting like a political party, shifting its focus away from education and toward pushing for higher taxes to fund transit, health care and other public services. 

Despite significant increases in spending within CPS, student performance remains poor, underscoring the shortcomings of the union’s reliance on additional taxpayer dollars. 

Critics contend that the CTU prioritizes its political agenda over the needs of teachers and students, allocating only a small portion of its budget to direct representation.

That sentiment is echoed by even those within CTU’s ranks.   

Nilam Civok, a self-described CPS teacher and outspoken critic of the union’s political activism, shared his views in a post on X.

“CPS and CTU put politics first and Chicago's students last,” Civok said on X. 

The criticism didn’t stop with CPS employees. 

Chicago resident Tim Gollogly, a business executive, took to Instagram to comment on the union. 

“CTU doesn't give a FuG about your kids,” Gollogly said in a post.