CTU: If Governor Pritzker’s Budget Complied with Evidence-Based Formula, CPS would have a $1 Billion Surplus

On this Mother’s Day, we honor the mothers who raised us to be educators, leaders, and freedom fighters. Whether you birthed us, raised us, mentored us, or stood by our side, you taught us the most important lessons in life. Happy Mother's Day to the women who shaped the people we are today. 💐

For some students, the school nurse is their only source of health care. That’s why CTU fought for a nurse in every school, every day in our contract, and won. Nurses, we honor your service today, this week, and always. Thank a nurse today for their care, their compassion, and their courage.

📢 Calling all D9 members: Join us this May Day as we come together to organize, inspire, and uplift our communities! 📅 Friday, May 1 🕘 9AM–12PM: Civic action + performances @ PUSH 📍 1PM: Rally & march at Union Park Let’s register voters, share resources, and show up for our youth.

CPS has agreed to move forward with a May 1Day of Civic Action — keeping schools open while making space for student and educator participation. This is what organizing looks like. Read more: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/u...

May Day is necessary because working people, students, and our communities are under attack. CTU Executive Board Member Bridget Doherty says May 1 is International Workers Day and in 2026, it’s global day of action. Get involved at chicagomayday.org/

Keith Richardson, President of APWU Local 1, spelled it out: workers across sectors are organizing and preparing to take action together. As Trump’s attacks continue, labor is stepping forward to fight back. #MayDay2026 #NoWorkNoSchoolNoShopping

Millions are rising on May 1 to stand up for democracy and reclaim our future. As educators, this is our civic duty. We teach. We organize. We act. Join us at chicagomayday.org/

At a national May Day Strong meeting, unions including UEW, SEIU, and NNU aligned around one call: No Work. No School. No Shopping. With growing threats to our democracy, we have to show our power on May Day. Read more: bit.ly/4t7RWPc

Dr. David Stovall joined us to discuss his bookEngineered Conflict—and grounded us in the legacy of the April 1, 2016 one-day strike for our futures. When we center the people most impacted, we can change everything—schools, housing, and our city.

Chag Sameach from CTU ✡️ As we mark Passover, we reflect on the enduring importance of freedom, resilience, and community. Wishing all who celebrate a meaningful holiday.

Wishing a joyful and peaceful Easter to all of our members, students and families who celebrate! 🐣

Celebrating Dr. Maya Angelou’s birthday and the enduring impact of her voice, her vision, and her legacy. Her work continues to inspire creativity and change across generations.

Ten years ago, Chicago educators, parents, students, community members and unions took to the streets and shut the city down. A decade later, we’re still building on that legacy. Still organizing. Still fighting. Still winning. Solidarity forever. ✊🏽

CTUResponds toproperty taxreport:When the ultra-rich don’t pay, the restof us do

Over 200,000 in the streets this weekend. Chicago said no kings. Now we take that energy to May Day. May 1: No work. No School. No Shopping. Join us.

Billionaires keep getting richer while our schools fight for the resources students deserve. On May Day, Chicago educators are standing up for public education and working people withNo School. No Work. No Shopping. ✊Sign the petition: bit.ly/4rFUnH2

Jill Manrique, Executive Director of @chicagojwj, connected this moment to a long history of workers organizing against exploitation. As Trump’s attacks intensify, workers across Chicago are stepping up together. ✍️ Sign the petition:https://bit.ly/4rFUnH2

Jane Addams believed strong communities are built when working people organize for dignity, justice, and opportunity. Her legacy lives on today as educators and workers come together through the CTU and the May Day Coalition to fight for the schools and communities our city deserves. ✊📚

On Primary Election Day, CTU VP Jackson Potter spoke with Illinois legislators about what it will take to fully fund our schools and they were clear: it’s a political choice. Lawmakers are saying what we’ve been saying: tax the rich, close the loopholes, and invest in our students.

Journalist, educator, and organizer, Wells exposed racial violence and fought tirelessly to protect Black communities. Today, CTU carries forward that legacy by defending the right to teach Black history, and protecting academic freedom for culturally relevant curriculum.

CTU’s Recording Secretary Vicki Kurzydlo named what paraprofessionals face every summer: months without a paycheck, no unemployment insurance, and no safety net. Lawmakers have a choice: stand with their billionaire donors or with the working families of Illinois.

On Primary Election Day, CTU Vice President Jackson Potter spoke with Illinois legislators about what it will take to fully fund our schools and they were clear: it’s a political choice. Lawmakers are saying what we’ve been saying: tax the rich, close the loopholes, and invest in our students.

As CPS weighs the future of Aspira, CTU Charter Division Chair Jen Conant closed by grounding the moment: instability, disruption, and broken promises should never be the norm. Aspira educators should be able to follow their students and support them through this transition.

Lucy Parsons organized, spoke out, and fought fiercely for workers’ rights in the face of repression. ✊🏽 As we build toward the nation’s largest May Day mobilization, Her legacy reminds us that the fight for justice in our workplaces and communities continues.

Laura Garza, Executive Director of @arisechicago, named what’s driving this moment — rising costs, corporate profits, and communities being pushed to the brink. As Trump’s agenda deepens, workers aren’t waiting — they’re building power. Sign the petition: bit.ly/4rFUnH2

From City Hall to classrooms across Chicago, the message is getting louder: our schools are underfunded, and our students deserve better. Even the mayor is saying it. Now is the time to move beyond talk and into action. ✊ Add your name and be part of it: bit.ly/4rFUnH2

During Women’s History Month, we honor Hazel Johnson — the mother of the environmental justice movement. Her legacy reminds us: the fight for environmental justice has always been led by women who refused to accept that their communities were disposable.

Jordan Hamb showed up and showed out — she made history. The South Shore International senior blazed to aNational Championship in the 60m hurdles, running8.18 seconds From a neighborhood school on the South Side to the national stage, this is what greatness looks like.

Paraprofessionals keep our schools running and now it’s time Springfield shows up for you. This Wednesday, March 25 we're heading to Springfield for PSRP Lobby Day. We’re demanding living wages, summer unemployment benefits, and the respect that our school support staff deserve.

On May Day, educators across Chicago are joining workers everywhere forNo School. No Work. No Shopping. 📢Sign the petition that tells Mayor Johnson and Chicago Board of Education: Declare May 1st a Day of Civic Action: bit.ly/4rFUnH2

Through music, dance, and original writing, they showed why the conservatory model matters. If you cut the conservatory, you cut the core of what makes ChiArts work. CPS BOE made a historic decision to keep the school open. Now CPS needs to follow through and support the conservatory.

Join CTU for our next members-only curriculum training with classroom-ready resources connecting labor, social justice, and the fight our students are living through right now. 🗓 Thursday, April 2 @ 5PM 🔗 RSVP: [https://bit.ly/4boCjMN](https//bit.ly/4boC...) Let’s get ready. May Day is coming.

Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate 🌙 May this day bring peace, joy, and time with loved ones. We’re proud to stand in solidarity with our Muslim community today and every day.

CTU Vice President Jackson Potter makes it clear that a growing coalition of workers are organizing in the face of Trump’s attacks on our communities. We are calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson and the CPS Board to declare May Day a Civic Day of Action. ✍️ Sign the petition: bit.ly/4rFUnH2

Ten years ago in 2016, she showed up as a parent to defend her child’s school. On May Day, she’ll be in the streets to fight for her students joining Chicago workers for No School. No Work. No Shopping. ✊ Sign the petition that tells BoE: Declare May 1st a Day of Civic Action: bit.ly/4rFUnH2

InMinneapolis, workers, faith leaders, and unions shut it down —no work, no school, no shopping— to defend immigrant communities from federal terror. Get your school ready. Get your community ready. Get ready for May Day. Read more: bit.ly/47HiQ7G

We’re coming together again on March 28 to make it clear to Trump that his fear and intimidation aren’t working. In America, we have NO KINGS and power still belongs to the people. 📢Join us: March 28th @ 1:30 pm at Grant Park.

This week, Funston Elementary educator and CTU member, Maria testified to Congress on how ICE and federal agents are terrorizing school communities. Before she left for Capitol Hill, she asked her students what they would say to members of Congress. Here are three letters from her students.

Join CTU for a members-only curriculum training with classroom-ready resources connecting labor, social justice, and the fight our students are living through right now—especially in Black, Brown, immigrant, and working-class communities. 🗓 Thursday, March 19 @ 5PM 🔗 RSVP: bit.ly/4lz8U5U

CTU on the Women’s National Basketball Players Association’s Tentative Agreement

Illinois Primaries are a Preview to the Billionaires Trying to Buy Our Elections and the Coalitions and Educators Who Will Stop Them

Happy Election Day! 🗳️ More than 1,200 polling places will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. across the city for voters to cast ballots in their own neighborhood. Find your polling location at ctulocal1.org/vote

Today is Election Day! 🗳️ Your vote is your voice. And with it, we can elect candidates who will support our schools and build the futures our students deserve. Get out and vote — we’ll see you at the polls. Find election information, endorsements, and more at ctulocal1.org/vote.

Election Day is tomorrow (3/17)! 🗳️ Make a plan, get out, and vote. Find everything you need to be ready — including election information, endorsements, and more — at ctulocal1.org/vote. Your voice matters. See you at the polls.

Help us get out the vote! 🗳️ Join us this weekend as we help our neighbors make a plan to vote. Find a canvassing event near you at ctulocal1.org/vote

Election Day is Tuesday, March 17, but you don’t have to wait. Early voting is open across all 50 wards! Make your voice count, because primaries determine who will be on the ballot. Get out and vote. Find your polling place at: ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlace...

Chicago: Join the call for peace and solidarity. Today, community members, educators, and organizers will gather to demand Hands Off Iran & Lebanon and oppose further escalation and war in the region.

Happy Holi to all who celebrate! Right now is a time for renewal. We hope our community can find comfort and joy in the new things ahead.

When educators teach real history and connect it to the world students live in, young people find their voice. Karla Cedillo at the CTU’s State of the Union shared how she is living proof. She’s ready to fight for a better future for all.