The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has come under fire for encouraging, and in some cases busing, students to attend upcoming political rallies during school hours.
On Monday, CTU Vice President Jackson Potter issued a notice to voting-age students about an upcoming gathering for the first round of voting in the Illinois primary.
“On March 15, the Chicago Teachers Union will partner with Chicago Votes, La Casa Norte, and Bring Chicago Home to host the largest celebration of young people participating in democracy in Chicago in years. On the morning of March 15th, students will gather at CTU to set up headquarters, hear from candidates and political organizers, collaborate with young voters from other schools, and participate in engaging programs such as art, music, and dance. “Participate in events like this,” Potter wrote.
He added: “The event culminates in a parade to the polls, where students march to early voting locations, celebrate voting in their first election, and make their voices heard along the way. That will happen,” he added.
Jackson Potter, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, sent a message to students to attend the Illinois primary rally. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua via Getty)
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The message said Chicago Vote had “kindly offered to assist us.” [and] We will provide transportation to and from the event. ”
After Potter’s memo appeared, Illinois Policy InstituteThe union, a nonpartisan research organization, filed an ethics lawsuit alleging the union violated the Chicago Public Schools Code of Ethics.
“According to the CPS Code of Ethics, “employees are permitted to voluntarily participate in political activities during off-hours, vacation, or personal time. Participating in political activities is not permitted during the hours of 2019. Political activity is defined as “preparing for, organizing, or participating in political rallies, rallies, demonstrations, or other political events.” says the complaint.
Additionally, “by asking teachers to prepare and organize to participate in student power forums held during school hours as part of the political campaign (Bring Back Chicago), the union is clearly asking its members to ” he said. Violating the CPS Code of Ethics and, in some cases, other state or city regulations. Please take prompt action regarding this matter. ”
The Illinois Policy Institute filed an ethics complaint against the teachers’ union for promoting political events during school hours. (St. Petersburg)
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In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, CTU attacked The Illinois Policy Institute claimed to be a “Runer-funded right-wing think tank” that “attacks student civic engagement” and that the event was a “nonpartisan voter education forum.”
“As public school educators, our members, especially civics and government teachers, have an obligation to provide our students with an understanding of, and opportunities to participate in, the democratic process,” the statement said. , this bipartisan event has become a target for Donald Trump.” As we witness, both locally and nationally, a lack of voter literacy about electoral processes leads to misinformation, creeping nationalist fascism, and harassment of women, people of color, and LGBTQIA. ,people. “
While Chicago Votes is a nonpartisan organization, the Illinois Policy Institute said Bring Chicago Home is a policy advocacy group campaigning on behalf of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax increase referendum. .
Mr Johnson had previously been supported by the CTU.
The Chicago Teachers Union previously endorsed Brandon Johnson for mayor in 2023. (Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
later Chicago Public Schools issued a statement They confirmed that they shared their concerns with CTU and that the union has removed “Bring Chicago Home” from the event.
“Chicago Public Schools (CPS) encourages students to participate civically in the electoral process through a nonpartisan election and civic engagement curriculum. We will not defend the results. CPS has shared our concerns about the events of March 15 with CTU. “CTU is non-partisan and must abide by our ethics policy. “They have assured us that they will comply with our policies and procedures, including the policy,” the statement said.
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In comments to Fox News Digital, Miley Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney at Illinois Policy, continued to label the event as “partisan” and “political,” and said that Chicago Public Schools urged them to take greater action.
“It has always been clear that this referendum was always about more power for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union. This is a political incident. Chicago Public Schools should fully condemn this. This effort will be just.” It’s a slush fund and I hope the people of Chicago see through it,” Smith said.
