Key Takeaways
- Chicago teachers secured a new contract without going on strike—the first time in over a decade.
- The four-year deal includes pay raises, more staff, smaller class sizes, and added prep time for teachers.
- Political conflict marked the negotiations, including the firing of the CEO and resignation of the entire school board.
For the first time in more than a decade, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have reached a contract agreement without a strike.
The new four-year deal delivers higher salaries, improved working conditions, and more support for students—ending a year of tense negotiations and political drama.
A Year of Political Drama Behind the Scenes
Although the deal was reached peacefully, it followed a turbulent year. Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former teacher and CTU organizer, used his union connections to push the process forward. But the talks were slowed by leadership conflicts.
The school board resigned in protest after Johnson proposed a $300 million loan to help fund the contract and a pension payment—an idea the board and CEO Pedro Martinez rejected.
In the months that followed, Chicago held its first school board elections. The new transitional board includes union-backed members, charter school advocates, and mayoral appointees. In December, the board voted to fire Martinez, who will remain in office until June.
What’s Included in the New Chicago Teacher Contract
The $1.5 billion contract brings several major changes. Teachers will receive a 4% raise retroactive to last year, with annual raises of 4% to 5% through 2028. Median teacher pay will rise to $98,000 next year and reach about $110,000 by the end of the deal.
The district will also hire 800 more teachers and nearly 100 librarians. Daily prep time will increase to 70 minutes, and class sizes will be capped—kindergarten, for example, will have no more than 25 students per class.
Union President Stacy Davis Gates said the deal supports students who have been historically underserved. “It’s big, it’s complex, and it is certainly a step in the right direction,” she said. The union reported that 97% of voting members approved the agreement.
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A More Open and Inclusive Bargaining Process
This was the first time in decades the union was allowed to negotiate over issues beyond pay, like class sizes. This shift came after Illinois lawmakers expanded collective bargaining rights in 2021. The talks were also more transparent than ever before, with some sessions streamed live to the public.
Labor expert Robert Bruno from the University of Illinois noted that political distractions slowed the process. “All of that chaos and turmoil clearly dragged down the bargaining and probably shut it down for a fair amount of time,” he said.
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Big Wins—but Big Money Questions Remain
Even as both sides celebrate the deal, major funding concerns remain. The district faces a $500 million yearly deficit and a $175 million pension bill. Martinez warned that while the first year of the contract is funded, long-term financial stability is uncertain.
Mayor Johnson’s rejected loan plan has not been replaced by a clear funding solution, raising concerns among district officials and watchdog groups.
A Possible Model for Other School Districts
The agreement could influence teacher unions nationwide. In a newsletter, the United Teachers Los Angeles praised Chicago’s efforts: “We can Win Our Future in Los Angeles, just like our union siblings in Chicago.”
Whether Chicago’s experience becomes a model for cooperation or a cautionary tale depends on how the city handles its next big challenge: paying for its promises.
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