Chicago Teachers Union Leader Expands Role Amid Criticism
Stacey Davis Gates, the President of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), was elected unanimously on Saturday to lead the Illinois Federation of Teachers, despite facing significant criticism about student performance and her controversial statements. At 48, she’ll oversee the state’s largest union, which comprises over 100,000 members, during a challenging time for Chicago schools, where test scores remain troubling, as highlighted by NBC News. Alarmingly, only about one in three elementary students reads at grade level, and just 18 percent demonstrate proficiency in math.
Throughout her tenure, Davis Gates has not held back on her views. In a 2024 radio interview, she labeled standardized testing as “junk science rooted in white supremacy” when discussing the weak reading and math scores among students.
Additionally, CTU’s official social media account caused a stir by honoring Assata Shakur, a person with a criminal history, which drew criticism from conservative circles and members of the Chicago City Council.
Former Chicago school superintendent Paul Vallas, who previously ran for mayor, commented, “They’re a political party. They don’t care about kids. The Chicago Socialist Party is Chicago’s teachers union.”
At a City Club Chicago event on Monday, Davis Gates referenced civil rights icon James Baldwin and stated, “All children belong in a union.” When she posited whether parents would agree that the union considers their children as “CTU children,” her response was a decisive “Yes, I do.”
Notably, the union played a crucial role in electing Mayor Brandon Johnson, a prior member of CTU, being its largest financial backer. Davis Gates has successfully negotiated two contracts with over 25,000 teachers in Chicago, garnering a 97% approval rate from the union members for the latest agreement.
Regarding her compensation, Evans Gates previously earned $195,000 at CTU, with an additional $78,000 from the Illinois Federation of Teachers during her vice presidency. The salary for her new position has yet to be announced.
