Latest news with #ChicagoTeachersUnion
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Hundreds rally against Trump administration at ‘Good Trouble' Loop gathering
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated against President Donald Trump and his administration's policies in the Loop on Thursday as part of nationwide 'Good Trouble Lives On' rallies, decrying cuts to social services, mass deportation strategy and restrictions on civil liberties. A group of about 60 demonstrators left Federal Plaza about 4:30 p.m., chanting 'Trump must go now' as they marched up Dearborn Street before joining a larger main crowd at Daley Plaza a half hour later. The chain of national protests denouncing Trump's agenda was named for a term coined by the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who died in 2020. A civil rights activist, Lewis also participated in the 1961 Freedom Rides, which aimed to end racial segregation in the South. Thursday marked the fifth anniversary of Lewis' death. Organizers planned about 20 other 'Good Trouble' rallies in the suburbs, including Naperville and Highland Park. Nationwide, more than 1,000 similar protests were held, according to the 'Good Trouble Lives On' website. Among the rally attendees were the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates. Johnson told the crowd that America under Trump was making an 'alarming and fast descent into authoritarianism,' but vowed that Chicago would fight back. He also repeated a pledge that the city would not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 'There are times when we have to march forward, even when it's difficult, even when the risks are real,' he said. 'Let me tell you that time is now. Tonight, we follow in the footsteps of making good trouble. Trouble that will engender confidence across this country that 'liberty and justice' for all is not just a tagline.' Protesters carried signs that read 'Dump Trump' and 'Dissent is Patriotic,' while a person in a taco suit, cape and crown danced around an inflatable baby Donald Trump. 'The standards of people who are running America right now are very low,' said Samantha Oliva, 22. 'I guess you can commit crimes, you can lie.' Carrying a sign that read 'Morons Are Governing America,' a play on the Trump slogan 'Make America Great Again,' Oliva said she hoped this protest would inspire more Gen Zers to take civic action against the administration. 'Community is everything with someone plotting against you guys,' Oliva said, referring to what she called Trump's actions to sow division among Americans. 'We're stronger together.' National Education Association President Becky Pringle spoke about opposition to federal restrictions on diversity initiatives and the administration's 'intimidation of immigrant families.' 'We must and we will get in the way of the structural inequalities that are purposefully designed to sacrifice the common good of the many.' While Joan Javier-Duval, a Unitarian minister from Montpelier, Vermont, was in town to visit family, she said she looked for ways to participate in Thursday's protests. A Chicago native, Javier-Duval has attended several protests since Trump's inauguration, calling cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and increased funding for ICE particularly worrying. She said that many in her Vermont community have relied on emergency funds after severe flooding, and she also opposes ICE's deprivation of due process for immigrants. 'An event like this is important to show that we can come together across different communities and different issues,' she said. 'All to say that what we want is for our people to be taken care of and for our democracy to thrive.' Hermosa resident and Navy veteran Eligio Alvarado said he came to Thursday's protest because Trump and his 'ilk' were 'dismantling America,' in part by gutting government programs and replacing public servants. 'They're putting in their cronies who will march to their tune,' said Alvarado, who is originally from Puerto Rico. Unless something changes, Alvarado said, he would 'have fought for naught.' Similar to Javier-Duval, he said he hoped the protests would motivate voters and shift momentum toward Democrats who hope to retake Congress. 'This gives me hope,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago set as flagship city for ‘Good Trouble' protests planned across the country Thursday against Trump
Demonstrators are planning to protest President Donald Trump and his administration's rollback of civil rights in the Loop Thursday afternoon as part of more than 1,000 'Good Trouble Lives On' rallies planned across the United States. Chicago's demonstration is the 'flagship event' among the rallies, according to the organizers' website. Protesters are scheduled to march from Federal Plaza to Daley Plaza starting about 4:30 p.m., opposing the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts, restrictions to voting rights and rollback of rights for minority groups, among other policies. Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and other local officials are expected to attend, League of Women Voters Chicago Executive Vice President Betty Magness said at a Tuesday virtual news conference. Organizers have planned about 20 other 'Good Trouble' rallies in the Chicago suburbs, including Naperville and Highland Park. Thursday's rallies follow thousands of 'No Kings' protests against Trump government policies in June.
Axios
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Mendoza won't seek reelection, fueling 2027 Chicago mayoral buzz
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is not running for another term, instead possibly setting her sights on the mayor's office in Chicago. Why it matters: The announcement opens up a crucial statewide office that Democrats have held since 2016 and potentially kick-starts the 2027 mayoral race. Between the lines: Sizing up a mayoral run this early reveals how some Democrats believe the current mayor is vulnerable. Mayor Brandon Johnson has seen low approval ratings and represents a much more progressive wing of the party, aligned with the Chicago Teachers Union. Mendoza has been quick to criticize the mayor on social media, from his fiscal strategies to public safety. The move also suggests the mayoral race may attract big-name candidates earlier than ever. The past two mayoral elections had 23 candidates (14 in 2019 and 9 in 2023), which means name recognition is key. Reality check: Mendoza could have run for reelection and still run for mayor in 2027, but her timing aligns with the powerful Cook County Democratic Party's upcoming meetings this week to endorse candidates running in 2026. The late decision by Mendoza could mean a wild few days as new candidates emerge to jockey for the statewide comptroller's office. Flashback: Mendoza has run for mayor before. She campaigned in 2019 but failed to finish in the top two for the runoff, which Lori Lightfoot won. In that race, Mendoza was hampered by her connections to then-Ald. Ed Burke, to whom she had a close relationship. Burke was indicted for corruption in the midst of that campaign. State of play: Mendoza has an impressive track record overall, though, winning elections both state and citywide. She spent a decade in the statehouse representing parts of Chicago and was the first woman to be elected city clerk. Once elected Illinois comptroller in 2016, Mendoza was a fierce opponent of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. She used her office to publicize the governor's fiscal struggles, routinely pointing to unpaid state bills during his tenure.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CPS lays off 161, eliminates 209 positions to plug budget hole
In a cost-cutting move to plug a $734 million shortfall, Chicago Public Schools officials on Friday said they laid off dozens of workers in the district's central office and citywide staff. In all, CPS laid off 161 employees, according to district officials. The cuts come after interim schools chief Macquline King told the Chicago Board of Education at a meeting Thursday that the district faces a budget deficit that's $201 million more than officials previously cited. Though the budget is typically released in June, district officials have yet to finalize a spending plan — or say how they plan to address the now $730 million shortfall. Before Thursday's meeting, the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73, which represents public service workers in schools, held a news conference urging district officials to prevent additional cuts. Under the blazing sun, scores of parents, teachers, and school staff members gathered, holding signs and wearing union T-shirts. Among those hit by the layoffs were 87 members of SEIU Local 73, nearly all of whom were crossing guards, district officials said. Seven CTU employees and 67 employees across the district's central office and network offices were also affected, officials said. Reductions only affected central office and citywide staff who are not assigned to schools, officials said. In a statement to the Tribune Friday night, SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer said it was aware that CPS 'has begun issuing layoff notices to staff' but that 'we do not yet have numbers on how many have or will be impacted.' 'We believe that laying off any of these essential workers would be a significant blow to our education system,' Palmer said. 'Our union will work to mitigate the impact of any layoffs and continues to call on the City of Chicago and the Board of Education to urgently explore other alternatives that will not directly harm students' education.' CTU officials in a statement to their website Friday said the union was gathering information about the details of the layoffs and 'working to make sure that impacted members are able to exercise the rights we have won in our contract.' CTU members ratified a new contract with CPS in April. 'These layoffs disrupt the whole school community and undermine the hard work our school staff devote to students every day,' CTU officials stated. Officials also eliminated 209 open positions across the offices. 'Chicago Public Schools remains committed to using every available dollar to support student learning and school communities, despite the district's ongoing and well-documented funding challenges,' district officials said in a statement. 'In continuing preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, CPS is taking a careful and strategic approach to reduce spending while minimizing the impact on classrooms.' Officials said that over the past several months, while under the leadership of previous CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, the district's talent team has been 'working closely with the Budget Office and department leaders to take a thoughtful look at how we operate.' Together, they've been 'identifying ways to be more efficient and find cost savings across our central offices and administrative functions,' officials said. Employees affected by the central office actions were notified Friday, officials said. Union partners were notified earlier this week. Officials said the district 'acknowledges the thoughtful and difficult work undertaken by teams across the organization to ensure these decisions have the least possible impact on students.' District officials also stated the district remains 'focused on transparency and fiscal responsibility and will continue to work closely with city leaders, labor partners, and community stakeholders to address the long-standing structural underfunding of public education in Chicago,' adding that ensuring 'students receive the high-quality education they deserve remains the District's top priority.' tkenny@
CBS News
28-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Chicago Public Schools lays off 161 employees, cuts 209 vacant positions amid $734 budget shortfall
Chicago Public Schools officials on Friday announced more than 160 layoffs, and the elimination of more than 200 vacant positions, mostly among workers in its central office and citywide staff, as the district faces a $734 million budget gap for next year. A CPS spokesperson said 67 central office and network office workers were laid off, along with seven Chicago Teachers Union positions, and 87 employees represented by SEIU Local 73 – nearly all of whom were crossing guards. CPS officials also eliminated 166 vacant central office positions, 19 vacant CTU positions, and 24 vacant crossing guard positions. None of the layoffs or position reductions involved staff assigned to schools, according to CPS. "Chicago Public Schools remains committed to using every available dollar to support student learning and school communities, despite the District's ongoing and well-documented funding challenges. In continuing preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, CPS is taking a careful and strategic approach to reduce spending while minimizing the impact on classrooms," CPS spokesman Evan Moore said in a statement. Earlier this week, at her first school board meeting, interim Chicago Public Schools CEO announced the district's budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year had grown from $529 million to $734 million. CPS normally releases a budget plan for the school district in June, but has yet to finalize a spending plan for the upcoming school year. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates recently called on the district to take out a loan to address the shortfall and avoid cuts. She also said the district needs to do more to persuade Illinois lawmakers to provide CPS more money in the annual budget, arguing the state's education funding formula calls for the district to receive $1.2 billion more each year.
