Illinois Teachers Union Salary Boost Controversy

Stacy Davis Gates, the president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), received a substantial salary increase, bringing her total annual earnings to approximately $445,000. According to NBC Chicago on October 29, the IFT Executive Board approved raising her salary from $180,000 to $250,000.

This new state-level salary comes in addition to her existing salary as president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), where she earned just under $195,000. This pay raise has sparked criticism due to its timing with ongoing struggles in student reading proficiency.

Mailee Smith, from the Illinois Policy Institute, expressed concerns regarding the union’s financial priorities. She suggested that more focus should be on teacher representation rather than leadership compensation. Smith highlighted that only a small portion, less than 19%, of the CTU’s spending reportedly goes toward teacher representation. Instead, much is directed toward leadership costs.

Smith pointed out the gap between Davis Gates’s salary and that of average classroom teachers, stating that teachers need more support in the classroom and at negotiating tables.

Currently, Illinois schools face significant challenges in student proficiency. The 2024 results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show only 30% of Illinois fourth graders achieved proficiency in reading, with a similar percentage for eighth graders.

The proficiency statistics are concerning in Chicago Public Schools, where only 23% of fourth graders met NAEP Proficient levels in reading. In 2024, 60% scored at or above NAEP Basic in math, reflecting a gradual improvement over the years.

Despite these challenges, union activism, including political spending, has also attracted scrutiny. The Washington Post editorial board criticized CTU’s focus on progressive causes while struggling with student proficiency issues. Internal documents highlighted significant union spending on social justice initiatives.

Smith urged Idaho leaders to prioritize classroom needs over political agendas. She mentioned double standards observed, such as Davis Gates advocating for fair pay while having accumulated unpaid utility bills herself. Moreover, she supported private schooling for her own child while opposing scholarships for low-income families.

Response requests by Fox News Digital to both the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools on these matters remained unanswered.

Joshua Nelson, a reporter at Fox News Digital focusing on cultural trends, education, and public policy, has been covering these issues extensively.