Teachers Union’s Shocking Hypocrisy EXPOSED

Chicago Teachers Union leadership can’t spell basic words while presiding over a district where only 26% of students can read proficiently, exposing the shocking hypocrisy of union bosses who prioritize politics over education.

Story Highlights

CTU misspells common words like “fascism” and “governor” in public communications while student literacy rates plummet
Only 26% of Chicago students demonstrate English proficiency and 17.5% show math competency according to state data
Union President Stacy Davis Gates earns over $289K annually while sending her own son to private school
CTU spent only 17% of dues on member representation while running its first-ever deficit of $500K

Union Leadership’s Spelling Scandals Mirror Educational Failures

The Chicago Teachers Union has repeatedly embarrassed itself with public spelling errors, including misspelling “fascism” in anti-Trump materials and “governor” in political advertisements. These basic mistakes highlight the irony of union leaders who cannot demonstrate elementary literacy skills while overseeing an education system where three-quarters of students cannot read at grade level. The pattern of errors extends beyond simple typos, revealing a fundamental lack of attention to detail that mirrors the union’s approach to student achievement.

Chicago Kids Can’t Read. The Chicago Teachers' Union Can’t Spell. https://t.co/MPTnTnRWfK

— Dawn Wildman (@WildmanDawn) January 14, 2026

Staggering Student Performance Data Exposes System Failures

Illinois State Board of Education data reveals the devastating reality facing Chicago students, with only 26% achieving proficiency in English language arts and a mere 17.5% demonstrating competency in mathematics. These abysmal scores represent the educational outcomes for approximately 300,000 students, predominantly low-income and minority children who deserve better. Despite some modest reading growth between 2019-2023, overall performance remains catastrophically low, trapping entire generations in cycles of illiteracy and limited opportunity.

Union Hypocrisy: Private Schools for Leaders, Public Failure for Students

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates exemplifies union hypocrisy by enrolling her own son in private school while earning a salary exceeding $289,000 annually. Simultaneously, Gates actively lobbied to eliminate the “Invest in Kids” scholarship program that provided educational options for 9,600 low-income students. She has publicly denounced standardized testing as “junk science rooted in White supremacy,” deflecting attention from systemic failures while ensuring her family enjoys educational choices denied to the families she claims to represent.

Financial Mismanagement Reveals Misplaced Priorities

U.S. Department of Labor filings expose CTU’s financial dysfunction, including its first-ever deficit of $500,000 and the departure of 489 employees during fiscal year 2023. The union allocated only 17 cents of every dues dollar to member representation while spending heavily on political activities, including millions to elect Mayor Brandon Johnson. Members faced a $160 dues increase despite receiving minimal representation, while union leaders pursued ambitious contract demands totaling over $50 billion amid declining enrollment that has left 47 schools operating at less than one-third capacity.

Constitutional Concerns and Educational Freedom Under Attack

The CTU’s systematic opposition to school choice, standardized testing, and accountability measures represents a direct assault on parental rights and educational freedom. By blocking reforms and alternatives that could benefit struggling students, union leadership prioritizes job protection over constitutional principles of local control and family autonomy. Their political influence over Mayor Johnson and resistance to Governor Pritzker’s funding limitations demonstrate how union power undermines democratic governance and fiscal responsibility, threatening both educational outcomes and taxpayer interests.