CORE:

Thank you for your belief in our model of social justice unionism and common good bargaining!

Our investments in building our collective power through the rank and file has yet to fail us and have been especially necessary during this horrific pandemic. Our commitment to our values enables us to form powerful coalitions that continue to transform our school communities, neighborhoods and city.

As a result, the last few sessions in Springfield have been transformative, necessary, and blockbuster.

Three bills just passed both legislative chambers thanks to your support, advocacy and solidarity! 

• HB1167, the bill to create and restore COVID sick days for school employees who must quarantine, passed the Illinois Senate and is now on its way to Governor Pritzker. We’re advocating for the measure to be signed into law as soon as possible.
• SB 3986, the “Too Young to Test" bill, just passed the House and is now heading to the Governor. The legislation prevents ISBE from doing standardized tests for pre-K students through 2nd graders, a proposal that enriches testing companies while robbing our littlest learners of critical educational and developmental time. Education deformers like Advance Illinois opposed the bill, and the CTU worked in coalition with Illinois Families for Public Schools and the IFT to get this passed.
• SB 4000, part of our effort to address the severe guest teacher shortage plaguing CPS, also passed. The bill allows retirees to teach in our school communities for an additional 20 days without impacting their pensions, for a total of 140 days of guest teaching.

Thank you for consistently centering our students, the communities we serve and the power of our rank and file. Thank you for keeping us safe, strong, and inspired.

Power. Solidarity. Gratitude.