In Chicago, the Union Wins Again

Teachers get hefty raises, while test scores and enrollment fall

WSJ editorial. Excerpts:

"the Chicago Teachers Union has landed a roughly $1.5 billion agreement"

"teachers are expected to receive 4% cost of living raises the first year and as much as 5% a year in the next three"

"That adds up to more than 16% more for teachers in addition to the raises that teachers also get for years of service. Average teacher salaries are about $96,000"

"The contract also adds at least 800 more employees"

"the number of students in the district is shrinking. CPS had an enrollment of 325,305 in 2025, down from 361,314 in 2019" 

"the CTU and its affiliates spent more than $2 million on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s election"