The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) Executive Board voted on Oct. 29 to raise President Stacy Davis Gates’ salary from $180,000 to $250,000 per year. Combined with her existing Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) salary of just under $195,000, the pay bump brings her total compensation to roughly $445,000 annually.
Critics question the timing
The increase has drawn sharp criticism from the Illinois Policy Institute, a free‑market think tank. Mailee Smith, the institute’s vice president of policy and litigation, told Fox News Digital that the CTU spends more on internal operations than on direct representation, noting that “less than 19% of CTU’s spending went toward representation.” She added that the raise reflects “misplaced priorities” and that a nearly 39% increase for a leader does not help classroom teachers, whose average salary is a fraction of Gates’ combined pay.
Student performance concerns
At the same time, Illinois schools continue to struggle with basic academic skills. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed only 30% of Illinois fourth‑graders and 33% of eighth‑graders scoring at or above the proficient level in reading. In Chicago, just 23% of fourth‑graders met the NAEP proficient benchmark in reading, though 60% reached the basic level in math, a slight rise from 59% in 2022.
Data from the 2026 Illinois Report Card indicate that 46% of Chicago Public Schools students in grades three through eight met reading proficiency standards during the 2025‑26 school year. Among Chicago’s 11th‑grade ACT takers, 44% scored proficient in reading and 28% in math.
Union response and broader debate
The CTU and IFT have not responded to requests for comment. The controversy highlights a broader debate over union leadership compensation versus classroom investment, a theme that has appeared in recent editorial criticism of the CTU’s progressive political activities.
Smith urged Illinois 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 a perceived double standard, noting that Gates has advocated for others to pay their “fair share” while her own child attends a private school and she benefits from a substantial raise after teachers rejected a dues hike.
What this means for local families
For parents and community members, the story underscores two intersecting concerns: the stewardship of union dues and the urgent need to improve reading outcomes for Illinois children. While union leaders argue that strong representation can help secure better contracts and resources, critics contend that compensation packages should not outpace the educational results of the students they serve.
Local school boards and policymakers will likely continue to monitor both the financial practices of teachers’ unions and the academic performance metrics that affect families across the state.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
