Chicago Teachers Union Calls for 'Civic Action'

Union leaders demand higher wages and better working conditions amid ongoing contract negotiations.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting a crowd of protesters in motion, with overlapping geometric shapes and bold brushstrokes in primary colors conveying a sense of energy and civic unrest.Tensions escalate as the Chicago Teachers Union mobilizes for a series of disruptive 'civic actions' to demand increased school funding and better working conditions.Chicago Today

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has announced plans for a 'civic action' campaign to pressure the city's public school district to meet their demands for higher wages and improved working conditions. The union's leadership is calling on teachers, parents, and community members to participate in a series of protests and demonstrations in the coming weeks.

Why it matters

The ongoing contract dispute between the CTU and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) district has become a major political issue in the city, with both sides digging in on their positions. The union's 'civic action' campaign is seen as an escalation of their tactics to force the district to concede to their demands, which could disrupt school operations and impact students and families.

The details

The CTU is seeking a 15% pay raise for teachers, as well as smaller class sizes, more support staff, and better health benefits. CPS has offered a 12% raise over a five-year contract, which the union has rejected. Union leaders say the district's offer does not go far enough to address longstanding issues around teacher compensation and school resources.

  • The CTU announced plans for the 'civic action' campaign on April 10, 2026.
  • Union members are expected to begin participating in protests and demonstrations starting on April 15, 2026.

The players

Chicago Teachers Union

The labor union representing teachers and other staff in the Chicago public school system.

Chicago Public Schools

The school district that oversees the city's public schools and is responsible for negotiating contracts with the CTU.

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What they’re saying

“Our members have been patient, but the time has come for us to take bold action. We will not back down until the district meets our demands for fair wages and better working conditions.”

— Jesse Sharkey, President, Chicago Teachers Union

“We remain committed to reaching a fair and equitable agreement with the union, but we cannot agree to terms that would put an undue financial burden on the district or negatively impact our students.”

— Pedro Martinez, CEO, Chicago Public Schools

What’s next

The CTU has announced plans to hold a rally at City Hall on April 18, 2026, where they will call on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to intervene in the contract negotiations.

The takeaway

The ongoing contract dispute between the Chicago Teachers Union and the city's public school district has escalated into a high-stakes political battle, with both sides digging in on their positions and the potential for significant disruptions to the city's education system.