Chicago Teachers Union Ramps Ups Attacks on Pritzker
The Chicago Teachers Union is attacking Gov. JB Pritzker because he isn’t granting a request of $1 billion for Chicago Public Schools by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
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Tensions appear to be growing between Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and his largest lobby of supporters, the Chicago Teachers Union.
Pritzker reportedly rejected an additional $1.1 billion for Chicago Public Schools Johnson asked for in May. Of course, by May, the state budget negotiation was well underway and the statewide increase to K-12 education was $350 million.
It appears some long simmering tensions between Pritzker’s and Johnson’s teams may be bubbling up to the surface thanks to CTU, who are Johnson’s most prominent supporters.
“To usher in an era of high-quality neighborhood public schools, our students and their families need Governor Pritzker to fulfill his promise and live up to the recently developed Evidence-Based Funding formula,” a CTU statement said earlier this month. “In addition to needing Pritzker to live up to his promise, we urge the Chicago Board of Education and CPS CEO Martinez to be bold and lock in the gains we have accomplished together for our students and their families.”
“Maybe someone should teach the teachers money doesn’t grow on trees,” a pro-Pritzker lobbyist told The Illinoize Monday.
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, in a tweet posted Friday, accused Pritzker of “continuing the tradition of denying funding for Black, brown, working class and immigrant kids in Illinois’ largest school district.”
When asked about Davis Gates’ comment, Pritzker downplayed the rhetoric and said the state is increasing funding for K-12 education.
“I think that they’re in the middle of a negotiation, and so I think they’re going to say things that they think are going to advance their cause,” Pritzker said. “I think I’ve been clear, I want to fully fund public education, in the state of Illinois. I have worked hard during my term in office to do that. Billions of dollars more have gone into public education for our state. I want to do even more.”
Gates slapped back in a statement to FOX 32 Monday afternoon, attacking Pritzker’s chances at being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
“We're glad the presumptive nominees list includes governors in other states who have taxed the rich, placed social workers in every school from a central budget, and aggressively leaned into investing in education. Governor Pritzker should see those as examples to follow."
Pritzker again declined to discuss how or if he’s being vetted as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
“This may be the 73rd time you and your colleagues have asked this question,” Pritzker quipped.
After he claimed last week on MSNBC he had not received vetting materials from the Harris campaign, Pritzker has gone mum on the topic and held to form Monday.
“I’m not going to talk about those conversations,” he said.