UPDATE: Federal lawmakers are urgently demanding financial records from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), citing a lack of transparency with its members. The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee sent a letter on Thursday to CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, requesting detailed financial audits covering the years 2019 through 2024.
This demand comes amid serious allegations that union leaders have been withholding vital financial information from their members. The committee’s letter claims CTU has not adhered to its own bylaws, which mandate the sharing of financial audits with members. Lawmakers have set a deadline of December 8 for the union to comply with this request.
The committee’s letter explicitly states, “The committee understands that CTU leadership has actively sought to keep complete financial information from its own members, who continue to request that audits be published.” The letter also references a troubling incident where a member’s request for transparency was dismissed as a “racist dog whistle.”
This scrutiny comes at a time when the CTU has reportedly spent millions on political campaigns, including efforts to elect Brandon Johnson as Chicago mayor. The ongoing pressure from lawmakers and a pending lawsuit from a CTU member further highlight the urgency of the situation.
If the CTU fails to provide the requested records, lawmakers have not ruled out the possibility of issuing a subpoena. The committee is seeking these audits to evaluate whether new legislation should be considered to enforce stricter financial disclosure requirements for labor unions.
As this situation develops, the implications for the CTU and its members could be significant. Transparency in financial dealings is crucial for maintaining trust within the union and among its members, and any failure to comply with these demands could lead to further legal and political ramifications.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and additional reactions are gathered from both lawmakers and CTU representatives.
