Lawmakers demand financial records from Chicago Teachers Union

U.S. House demands CTU records

Lawmakers in DC want answers from the Chicago Teachers Union. They say members deserve a straight look at the books, and they’re now demanding the paperwork.

CHICAGO - Federal lawmakers are demanding financial records from the Chicago Teachers Union, saying the organization has failed to be transparent with its members.

What we know:

The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee sent a letter Thursday to CTU President Stacy Davis Gates requesting financial audits from 2019 through 2024. 

The letter accuses union leaders of withholding information from members and not following their own bylaws, which require financial audits to be shared with members. 

The committee has given CTU until Dec. 8 to produce the requested records. The letter does not say whether lawmakers plan to issue a subpoena if the union does not comply.

This request comes amid an ongoing lawsuit filed by a CTU member who alleges union leaders have refused to release financial records. The union has spent millions on political campaigns in recent years, including efforts to help elect Brandon Johnson as Chicago mayor.

The letter says, in part, "The committee understands that CTU leadership has actively sought to keep complete financial information from its own members, who continue to request that audits be published. For example, we understand you impugned a member's request that audits be published by maligning the request as a racist ‘dog whistle.’" 

What they're saying:

"Essentially, what the committee is saying is you need to produce these audits and if you don't, there is a deficiency in the current law," says Austin Berg, Executive Director for the Chicago Policy Center. "According to the union's own bylaws, they must produce these audits. That's why they're suing."

A Cook County judge is considering an ongoing lawsuit filed by a disgruntled member who has fought leaders to produce those records — CTU leaders have repeatedly stonewalled those requests as the case drags on.

"If the union fails to continue to produce this basic transparency to members, you could absolutely see further federal action," Berg says.

What's next:

The committee said the purpose of obtaining the audits is to determine whether Congress should consider new legislation requiring labor unions to disclose financial audits. It did not specify whether the committee would pursue further action if CTU fails to provide the documents.

A spokesperson for CTU did not offer a response.