Recent polling reveals that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has garnered only 21.7% approval from voters, with a significant 56% holding unfavorable views of the union, according to the Illinois Policy Institute’s latest Lincoln Poll.
This decline in support can be attributed in part to the controversies surrounding CTU’s leadership, particularly President Stacy Davis Gates and Vice President Jackson Potter.
Davis Gates has been under scrutiny for numerous scandals during her time in office. Critics argue that her actions demonstrate a prioritization of political maneuvering over the educational needs of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students and the taxpayers who fund the system.
Among the allegations against her are skimming on her property taxes, failing to provide transparent financial records, instigating violence, sending her child to a private school while denying that option to other families, and lagging in paying her utility bills.
Jackson Potter, her counterpart, also faces backlash due to his professional history and ideological stances. This includes his executive earning $147,000 a year from his dual roles in CTU and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, significantly higher than the average CPS teacher salary, which stands at $86,439.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Potter’s family financially benefits from CTU. After a substantial $9.25 million settlement against CPS over discrimination claims, his mother’s law firm received a hefty $4 million from the union, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the union leadership.
In the realm of educational policy, Potter’s opposition to school choice has drawn criticism. He vehemently contests the existence of charter schools and disapproves of programs designed to extend scholarship options to underprivileged families. Potter has also played a role in strikes that disrupted student education, with CTU members walking out of classrooms at various times from 2012 to 2022.
These actions have sparked questions about the union’s commitment to student welfare, as the CTU’s rank-and-file leaders prioritize militancy over the educational needs of children.
Additionally, Potter’s political affiliations have raised eyebrows. He is an outspoken supporter of the Democratic Socialists of America, advocating for policies that call for the defunding of police and banks, as well as government intervention in education and housing.
CTU has come under increasing criticism not only for the actions of its leaders but also for its financial management. The union has operated under a continuous budget deficit while failing to adhere to standard auditing practices, further eroding trust among its members.
Data highlights that only 20 cents of every dollar collected in dues is allocated towards representing union members, which raises concerns about the leadership’s priorities and effectiveness.
Voter sentiment captures growing disillusionment with the CTU, which intertwines the union’s internal strife with broader political implications. Nearly half of voters indicated they would be less likely to support candidates who accept financial contributions from teachers’ unions, signaling a shift in how voters perceive the role and influence of unions in education policy.
As the CTU grapples with its declining favorability, questions about the impact of its leadership on Chicago’s educational landscape remain at the forefront. With challenges like a looming $734 million budget gap in CPS, the ramifications of the union’s actions will likely extend beyond union politics, affecting taxpayers and families across the city.
The current state of the Chicago Teachers Union serves as a reminder of how leadership decisions, internal conflicts, and political affiliations can significantly impact an organization’s reputation and effectiveness in serving its core constituents—students and teachers alike.
image source from：illinoispolicy
