The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has failed to produce required financial audits disclosing how its money was spent over the past four years, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
Multiple union members who work for Chicago Public Schools filed the suit alleging CTU’s most recent audit only covered the first half of 2019, despite the union constitution and bylaws requiring a yearly publication of finances, according to the lawsuit. The Liberty Justice Center sent a demand letter on Oct. 1 requesting the documents on behalf of the plaintiffs, but the union instead retaliated against the members after requesting their identity under the guise of verifying their union membership, according to a press release.
The union allegedly proceeded to use “intimidation tactics” to distract from the audit demand by publicly shaming the plaintiffs in a member-wide call and framing their efforts as “right-wing” and related to “Project 2025,” according to the press release.
“CTU members deserve to know where their money is going,” Phillip Weiss, a plaintiff in the case and CTU member since 1998, said in a statement. “After four years of silence, it’s time for transparency. This lawsuit isn’t just about us—it’s about the more than 25,000 educators across Chicago who rely on the union to uphold its commitments.”
Many Chicago Public Schools are reportedly underperforming and facing low enrollment, though CTU has fought to keep these schools open allegedly to preserve the union’s membership and power, according to a Wirepoints report. Only 36% of Chicago voters reported a favorable opinion of CTU as of September.
Every member of the Chicago School Board resigned on Oct. 4 over disagreements with Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson regarding a plan to increase the salaries of union members.
“We are proud to stand with Chicago educators in their fight for accountability and transparency,” Dean McGee, senior counsel for educational freedom at Liberty Justice Center, said in a statement. “CTU leadership must uphold its obligations to the teachers it represents.”
CTU did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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