The mayor has a significant say in decisions, and teachers know it.
Thats why they tend to favor one candidate or another. The largest teachers union in Illinois is spending millions to back their pick for mayor, and its not Republican.
Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, is facing current Democrat Mayor Lightfoot in Chicago. Daily Caller says, From January 2022 to March 6, 2023, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has spent more than $1 million campaigning for Democratic Chicago Mayor candidate Brandon Johnson, a former public school teacher, and CTU organizer.
The CTU has done much more than donate money. Thousands of volunteers have taken to the streets to knock on doors and share Johnsons plans, such as how he wants to invest more in the community. Hundreds of volunteers are also on their phones, helping make almost 50,000 phone calls and sending thousands of texts as the election approaches.
Johnson has barely had to fund any of his campaigns, even though he can probably spare a few dollars. His previous salary was close to $400,000. However, unions have pitched in to provide almost 96% of his funding, totaling $4.8 million.
However, there are plenty of people that dont support spending. Many say they didnt agree to spend union money on the campaign, and the CTU did not get permission like they were supposed to.
The Daily Caller states, They didnt ask the (union) House of Delegates. They didnt present financial statements showing how wed be paid back, Therese Boyle, a former Chicago Public Schools teacher, told the outlet. It feels like theyre putting all of their eggs in this basket and not thinking about the other important things for our union, like establishing a strike fund.
A union that is for teachers and takes teachers money shouldnt be allowed to spend money however they want to. Millions of dollars shouldnt be blown on a political candidate if it leaves little funding for anything else. What happens if the teachers do go on strike?
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