CTU Election Update
We've got an election coming up - it's not one we can partake in, yet it impacts us all and already has.
The Chicago Teachers Union, representing nearly 30,000 members, will hold elections on Friday, May 16 to choose officers and delegates for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028.
Leadership will face major challenges, including looming budget deficits, fights over equitable school funding, and potential federal education cuts. Public sentiment toward the CTU is mixed—recent polls show 60% of Chicago voters view the union unfavorably—underscoring the high stakes of this election.
The CTU’s influence in city politics is already well-established. Along with its affiliates, the union contributed $2.5 million to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign. Since his election, CTU leadership has played a significant role in shaping the mayor’s agenda and governance.
Who Can Vote?
All active CTU members in good standing as of April 1, 2025, are eligible to vote. Balloting will take place in schools via secret ballot. To vote, members must present one of the following:
A CTU membership card
A pay stub showing CTU dues (dated January 2025 or later)
Inclusion on the Official CTU Voters’ Signature List
The Race: CORE vs. REAL
The election features a contest between the incumbent Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE), led by current CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, and the challenger slate, Respect Educate Advocate Lead (REAL), headed by presidential candidate Erika Meza.
In power since 2010, CORE has delivered some wins for its members, including the newly ratified 2024–2028 contract that secured smaller class sizes, salary increases, and expanded staffing. But these gains have come alongside a pattern of divisive and politically driven decisions. CORE pushed for the ousting of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to further a fiscal agenda that would’ve saddled CPS with even more debt.
They also led the charge to keep schools closed during COVID, drawing backlash from parents and teachers alike. Under CORE’s leadership, the union has often prioritized politics over students and classrooms. Now, the REAL caucus is stepping up, calling out CORE’s insular leadership and pledging to bring transparency, accountability, and a renewed focus on classroom-centered priorities.
More About CORE:
Since taking leadership in 2010, CORE has transformed the Chicago Teachers Union into a major political force. The union has spent over $24.3 million on Illinois political campaigns, including $6.5 million on mayoral, city council, and other local races in Chicago.
CORE’s political spending has helped elect 30 of the city’s 50 aldermen, with more than 60% of its contributions going to Democratic Socialists or members of progressive caucuses - cementing the union’s progressive influence at City Hall.
CORE also championed the move to a fully elected Chicago Board of Education, a change enacted through 2021 legislation. The first 10 board members were elected in November 2024, with the full transition to an elected board expected in 2026 - a shift that could further extend the union’s policy reach through more candidate endorsements.
However, CORE’s influence may be slipping. In the recent election where it endorsed 10 candidates (9 were in contested races) and spent an estimated $1.5–$2 million, only 3 candidates won, raising questions about the caucus’ current popularity.
Bottom Line:
CORE’s future, and its influence over Chicago’s education and political landscape, rests on maintaining member support in the May 16 election. A win would reinforce its position ahead of the next school board election and solidify its progressive agenda.
But growing internal dissent and the rise of the REAL caucus have put pressure on CORE to address criticisms around transparency and member engagement. That pressure is compounded by a pending lawsuit filed by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of CTU members. The suit, filed in October 2024, demands the release of audited financial reports from 2019 to 2023 and calls for a forensic audit to clarify how union funds, especially political contributions like the $2.5 million to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign, have been spent.
As the election approaches, the outcome will not only decide union leadership but also signal how CTU members feel about the balance between classroom advocacy and political activism.