Pastor Phil Jackson asked everyday Chicagoans what City Council should do this budget season. Residents of the mighty West Side said City Council should vote for the Protecting Chicago Budget. Tag your alder and tell them:stand with working families, not the billionaires. ctu.sh/budget

As the federal government attacks our neighbors yet again, taking away food assistance from students and families,Governor Pritzker and the Chicago City Council must tax the ultra-wealthyto ensure schools can remain a resource and a sanctuary in difficult times.

Use the Protecting Chicago Schools Calculator to see what your school stands to lose mid-year and tell your alder to support the historic $1B TIF surplus for our schools, parks and libraries. Tell them to vote YES on the #ProtectingChicago Budget.

CTU on Zohran Mamdani’s Election As Mayor of New York.

CTU and IFT President Stacy Davis Gates on Rep. Jesús Chuy Garcia’s Retirement from the U.S. Congress

When fascism rises, the labor movement decides whether democracy survives. CTU Vice PresidentJackson Potterand UTLA’s Alex Caputo-Pearl write that unions must lead a national anti-Trump strategy, one that’s rooted in collective power, community solidarity, and the courage to disrupt.

A music conservatory teacher at ChiArts, spoke before the CPS Board to defend the school’s structure that blends academics with artistic training from professionals across Chicago. We urge the Board to protect the model and ensure any transition happens with inclusion with all stakeholders.

On this Día de los Muertos, we remember our loved ones and all of those gone from our communities too soon. Their memory is sacred. Their stories fuel our fight. We carry them with us, in grief, in love, and in struggle. ✊🏽 #DíaDeLosMuertos #CTUStrong

Children have been whispering to dolls, “we have to be good or ICE will get us.” That is why the City Council must fight back against Trump’s attacks and pass the Protecting Chicago Budget. We cannot ask traumatized children to learn while cutting the very supports that keep them safe.

Ashley Bailey, a pre-K teacher & CTU delegate, stepped up to lobby Rep. Will Guzzardi — and got a YES on taxing millionaires and billionaires to fund our schools. Now it’s your turn. Call your state rep and senator. Demand they do what Ashley did — say YES to funding schools and taxing the rich.

Yesterday, CTU members went to Springfield to tell Governor Pritzker and the Democratic supermajority to fully fund our schools. We are fighting for the schools our students deserve. And there is only one way to do this—taxing the rich and billionaires. #FundOurSchools #TaxTheRich

CTU members sounded off early in the morning as we boarded buses, all with 1 message: We’re heading to Springfield to share our plan with Illinois' Governor & Democratic supermajority. We’re demanding full funding for every public school in this state and the only way to do that is to tax the rich.

CTU Statement on Federal Court Ruling Mandating Daily Reporting from ICE

Juarez teacher Liz Winfield shared the moment she marked a student absent because ICE abducted him on his way to school. This story shows why CTU is standing up to defend our students and our neighborhoods because federal terror has no place in Black, brown and immigrant communities.

At the Funds Not Feds Rally, Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez spoke about building a new working-class coalition to defend Chicago from Trump’s attacks and corporate greed. He called for a city budget that invests in housing, schools, and care, not in protecting billionaire wealth.

At a recent press conference, a ChiArts parent spoke out about the secrecy surrounding the sudden announcement to close ChiArts HS and called out CPS’ lack of oversight. They’re demanding forCPS to take control of ChiArts as a district-run school so the community can stay whole.

Chicagoans are uniting in solidarity to reject ICE and DHS. On CNN, CTU President Davis Gates reminded us what our city truly needs: fully funded schools, protections for queer and trans students, resources for Black students, and federal investment in healthcare—not more tyranny.

JB said no to taxing billionaires… while eating lunch with billionaires. You can’t make this up.

Happy Diwali to all who celebrate in our community! 🪔 Join us in celebrating the Festival of Lights, uplifting the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This Diwali, we hope all our students, educators, and families find peace, hope, and renewed strength.

Chicago said NO KINGS. NO TYRANTS. NO TRUMP. NO TROOPS. CTU members stood ten toes down with over 300,000 people demanding democracy, not dictatorship. When Trump sends troops into our neighborhoods, attacks our schools, and targets Black, Brown, and immigrant communities,we rise in unity.

So glad for my friend and sister @stacydavisgates.bsky.social and the rest of the newly elected IFT officers. They're ready to fight for every student across the state. bsky.app/profile/ifta...

Join us for the DePaul COE's virtual Fall Forum, "Meeting Students' Mental Health Challenges: Classroom, School, Policy Interventions", where CTU member leaders will discuss research, best practices as well as classroom, school, and policy interventions. RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/coe-fall-f...

Today, in the face of Trump’s attacks on our schools and communities, Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed a historic $1 billion TIF surplus in his 2026 “Protect Chicago” budget. Now City Council must meet the moment and vote YES to fund our schools. This is Chicago’s tradition of solidarity.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “Protect Chicago” budget delivers a record half-billion dollar TIF surplus for our public schools. This is a historic investment that puts Chicago students, families, and educators first. 🚨Now, tell your Alderperson to vote YES on the Protect Chicago budget.

Chicago Teachers Union Applauds Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “Protect Chicago” Budget, Historic Investment in Public Schools

Mayor Johnson’s 2026 budget proposal calls for an unprecedented withdrawal from the city’s TIFs, totaling a$1 B surplus. The alderpersons who signed a letter encouraging CPS to pass a budget that depended on these funds must release their districts’ TIF surplus so that money can help our schools.

CTU Blasts Trump’s Special Education Layoffs at Department of Education, Calls for Plan from the Governor and Illinois General Assembly to Protect Students and Guarantee Legally Required Support

As we reach the end of Latine Heritage Month, Mary Claire Flores, a special educator at Audubon Elementary, reminds us that our students deserve classrooms that honor their history, pride, and strength — they don’t deserve fear. Celebrating #LatineHeritageMonth is an act of resistance and survival.

Over the last weeks, Chicagoans have lived the horror of seeing our neighbors detained, families ripped apart, and children left in fear. These stories are real — and so are the stories of bravery. @SenatorGracielalifted up the power ofcommunity lovein the face of Trump’s federal terror.

At last week’s Board of Education meeting, CTU Vice PresidentJackson Pottercalled out the chaos caused by charter operators’ mismanagement and Governor Pritzker and the Democratic supermajority’s chronic underfunding of public schools. Our students can’t wait, and neither can we.

Today is #IndigenousPeoplesDay. Today and every day, we commit to ensuring Indigenous history, perspectives, and contributions - past and present - are taught and honored in every classroom, and that all students feel seen, valued, and welcome in our schools.

Chicago Teachers Union @ctulocal1.bsky.social

Protecting Chicago’s workers and small businesses with @sigchofor25.bsky.social and @chicagosmayor.bsky.social. Turning back the occupation is made by big and small acts like this one.

CTU on Today’s U.S. District Court Decision

Banning books doesn’t protect anyone. It only limits the tools we have to understand our world. This week is a reminder that our books, our knowledge, and our stories are essential to our existence. Read banned books. 📚 #BannedBooksWeek

CTU President Davis Gates spoke to what the CTU knows: when an unlawful force invades our city, Black communities will also be targeted. As Black, Brown and immigrant communities are under attack, our unity and commitment to keep one another safe is the responsibility of all Chicagoans.

CTU Denounces President Trump’s Targeting of Chicago’s Mayor: Chicago Will Continue its Proud Tradition of Protecting City Residents and their Liberty in the Face of Troops

We’re talking about critical thinking, Dr. King’s legacy, and Why Fascists Fear Teachers at @ctulocal1.bsky.social @rweingarten.bsky.social @mayorofchicago.bsky.social

On Friday, we kicked off ourFall 2025 Delegates & School Leaders Trainingwith food, music, and community ✊. Delegates came together for fellowship, joy, and grounding in the work ahead. Thank you to comedian@boomboomduprey brought the laughter to fuel our fight. #CTUStrong

Randi Weingarten's new book is called ”Why Fascists Fear Teachers.” It’s more than a title—it’s a roadmap for defending democracy. Be there as Randi takes us inside her vision for how educators, parents, and communities can push back against authoritarianism. 🔗 RSVP now: tinyurl.com/48brrfw4

From building blocks to building power — our delegates and school leaders came ready to learn, strategize, and defend our schools. 💪 Together, we know our rights and defend our rights. Together, we win. #CTUStrong

Friday night we kicked off our Fall 2025 Delegates + School Leaders Training with fellowship, food, music, and powerful grounding for the work ahead. Special thanks to comedian @boomboomduprey for bringing the laughs and energy to our kickback! #CTU #UnionStrong

Chicago Teachers Union Responds to Trump’s Escalating War Against Chicagoans

That urgency is at the core of her new book "Why Fascists Fear Teachers.” This is your chance to be in the room when she lays out what’s at stake for public schools, democracy, and all of us. Wednesday, October 8, 2025 CTU Center, 1901 W Carroll Ave 5–8 PM RSVP here: bit.ly/3KA8EoR

Chaos shouldn’t be the backdrop to a school day. ICE raids, military presence, and federal agents in our neighborhoods are traumatizing students and families. On CNN this week, CTU President Davis Gates explains how educators are stepping up to keep schools safe, but we need real solutions now.

The Trump administration cut$5.8 million this year and $17.5 million over the next several yearsfrom CPS magnet school grants. We demand CPS and the Board of Education defend our students in court. Chicago cannot allow Trump to strip funding as retribution for equity and justice.

Don’t miss the chance to hear Randi Weingarten’s unpack her brand-new book,”Why Fascists Fear Teachers.”This isn’t just a release—it’s a rallying cry. Wednesday, October 8, 2025 CTU Center, 1901 W Carroll Ave 5–8 PM RSVP now:https://bit.ly/3KA8EoR

To all our CTU members observing Yom Kippur, may this Day of Atonement be one of deep reflection, healing, and renewal. As you fast, reflect, and seek peace, we honor your commitment to justice in our schools and communities. G’mar Chatimah Tovah. May you be sealed for good in the Book of Life.🕯️

The Chicago Teachers Union on the Federal Government Shutdown.

Statement from CTU President Stacy Davis Gates Responds to Trump Threatening War on Chicago.