Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Stacy Davis Gates announced her intention to actively support Mayor Brandon Johnson's re-election campaign, stating she would collect petition signatures if necessary.
"I hope to see Mayor Johnson come off the sideline and I hope to see the people who support him get out here and pass a petition. If he's not going to pass one, I'll pass one for him," Davis Gates said in a recent interview with WTTW News. She also praised Johnson's administration for allocating a billion dollars to Chicago Public Schools (CPS), stating, "I don’t think we’ve done better at Chicago Public Schools than under [Johnson’s] leadership."
Davis Gates' endorsement comes as Johnson faces scrutiny over his close ties to the CTU and ongoing concerns about academic performance in Chicago Public Schools. The CTU was instrumental in Johnson's 2023 mayoral victory, endorsing him and contributing significantly to his campaign. Financial disclosures revealed that the CTU funneled over $2.6 million directly into his campaign, with collective union contributions exceeding $6 million.
Critics have frequently alleged that Johnson's policy decisions are influenced by the CTU, his former employer. Johnson has consistently refuted these claims, asserting his platform aligns with the values of Chicago residents.
During Johnson's first term, CPS underwent a significant governance change mandated by state legislation enacted in 2021, a long-standing CTU objective. This legislation established a 21-member hybrid school board, with 10 members elected by voters after the November 2024 elections and 11 appointed by Johnson, including the board president. All 21 seats will be up for election in late 2026, transitioning CPS to a fully elected board by January 2027.
The CTU's political activities occur amidst the district's enrollment challenges and increasing operational expenses. Documents obtained by news outlets during 2024 collective bargaining negotiations revealed a lengthy list of union demands, estimated by the Illinois Policy Institute to potentially cost over $50 billion. These demands included annual wage increases, comprehensive coverage for abortions and fertility treatments, stipends for migrant families, and new district-wide climate and social-justice initiatives, such as fully electric bus fleets and dedicated "gender support coordinators."
The union has faced public criticism for its emphasis on political and social activism, particularly as reading and math proficiency scores in CPS remain low. The Washington Post editorial board has previously pointed to the union's advocacy for social justice initiatives in this context.
Regarding potential endorsement discussions, Davis Gates indicated that Johnson would be subject to the teachers union's political action committee's review. She emphasized the CTU's internal democratic processes for decision-making. When asked about endorsing a candidate other than Johnson, Davis Gates dismissed the possibility, focusing instead on the satisfaction of members with the mayor's support for initiatives such as smaller class sizes and the protection of educators' ability to "teach the truth."