Chicago Teachers Union's Lavish Demands Under Fire Amidst Criticism of President's Private School Choice

Despite calling school choice racist, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has come under fire for sending her son to a private school while the union demands $50 billion in increased funding, including fully paid abortions and subsidies for migrants.

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has sparked outrage with its staggering demands for an extra $50 billion in funding, raising questions about its priorities and the impact on taxpayers. The union, currently negotiating a new contract with the city's public school system, is demanding significant salary increases, expanded benefits, and a slew of social justice measures.

Union President Stacy Davis Gates' audacious plan calls for teachers to receive at least 9% wage increases each year through fiscal year 2028. This exorbitant demand would result in an average teacher salary of $144,620 in the 2027-2028 school year, surpassing the median household income in Chicago by more than double.

The union's list of demands also includes a $1,000 stipend per student per semester for teachers assigned beyond contractual limits and a $2,500 retirement bonus for employees with over 30 years of service. Such lavish benefits underscore the union's relentless pursuit of financial gain rather than educational excellence.

In a departure from traditional bargaining, the union seeks 100% coverage for abortion care and $2,000 subsidies for migrants to cover academics, transportation, and mental health counseling. The union's diversion of public funds towards non-educational purposes has drawn widespread criticism.

The CTU's demands extend into the realm of social justice, requiring annual LGBTQ+ training for staff and the establishment of gender-neutral bathrooms in every school. Additionally, the union wants to prevent staff from being compelled to disclose a student's rejection of their sex to parents.

Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy at the Illinois Policy Institute, has condemned the union's demands as politically motivated and detrimental to taxpayers. She calls for the recusal of Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU official, from contract negotiations to ensure impartiality.

The union's lavish demands have sparked further controversy in light of Gates' decision to send her son to a private school. Her actions have been condemned as hypocritical, given her past criticism of school choice as racist and her union's opposition to charter schools.

The union's exorbitant demands have raised concerns about the financial burden they would impose on Chicago taxpayers. The CTU's budget request exceeds the state of Illinois' total tax receipts for the past year, highlighting the potentially devastating impact on the city's finances.

The CTU's demands are particularly galling given the underwhelming performance of its members, with only 21 percent of Chicago's eighth graders proficient in reading. The union's relentless focus on financial gain and social activism has overshadowed its primary responsibility of ensuring educational success for the city's children.

The union's demands have been shrouded in secrecy, with the leaked document revealing the extent of its audacious requests. The lack of transparency fuels concerns about the union's true intentions and the misuse of public funds.

Taxpayers and families deserve a responsible and accountable teachers union that prioritizes educational excellence over self-interest. The Chicago Teachers Union's excessive demands and questionable actions call into question its ability to fulfill this imperative.