Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), has received a reported $70,000 annual pay raise, increasing her compensation for the IFT role to $250,000. This comes as Illinois students continue to face challenges with reading proficiency.

The IFT Executive Board approved the raise, which adds to Davis Gates' existing salary as president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Public records indicate her CTU salary is nearly $195,000, bringing her combined annual pay to approximately $445,000.

The pay increase, representing nearly a 39% boost, has drawn criticism from the Illinois Policy Institute, a free-market think tank. Mailee Smith, vice president of policy and litigation at the institute, stated that the raise reflects "misplaced priorities" and that more dues money is going toward leadership compensation instead of serving members.

Smith also highlighted the disparity between Davis Gates' compensation and the average salary of classroom teachers, noting that the average Illinois teacher earns a fraction of her total pay. Neither Davis Gates, the CTU, nor the IFT responded to requests for comment.

This compensation adjustment occurs as Illinois schools grapple with student academic performance. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 30% of Illinois fourth graders and 33% of eighth graders scored at or above the proficient level in reading.

Data from Chicago Public Schools shows similar proficiency gaps. In 2024, 23% of Chicago fourth graders met the NAEP Proficient level in reading. The Illinois Policy Institute reported that for the 2025-26 school year, 46% of Chicago Public Schools students in grades three through eight met reading proficiency standards.

The CTU has also faced scrutiny for its focus on political and social activism, with critics suggesting that this emphasis detracts from addressing core educational needs like reading and math proficiency. Internal documents have also indicated the union's spending on progressive political causes.

Smith urged state and local leaders to prioritize classroom needs, stating, "Illinois needs to put students and teachers first, while current leadership seems more focused on radical agendas and elevating their leaders." She also pointed to past criticisms regarding Davis Gates' personal choices, such as her child's private school attendance while opposing scholarships for low-income families, and the timing of her raise following teachers' rejection of a dues hike.