New poll shows Chicagoans losing confidence in Johnson, CTU: 'Politically toxic'

A new poll shows how Chicagoans view their mayor and the influential Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).

In short, both have significant work ahead to regain the trust of residents.

Who conducted the poll?

What we know:

The poll, conducted by the respected M3 Strategies, reveals that Mayor Brandon Johnson, the CTU, and CTU President Stacy Davis Gates have low favorability ratings.

Commissioned by the Libertarian Illinois Policy Institute, the poll surveyed a diverse cross-section of Chicagoans from various neighborhoods and ethnic backgrounds.

Reflecting the city's political landscape in presidential elections, 14% of respondents identified as conservative, while 86% identified as moderate, liberal, or very liberal.

Overall, the results were unfavorable for the mayor.

The Results

What we know:

The poll, conducted from Jan. 21 to Jan. 23, surveyed 798 voters and asked, "Do you have a favorable opinion of Mayor Johnson?" 

Only 14% of respondents expressed a favorable view, with 80% reporting an unfavorable opinion, and the rest offering no opinion.

The poll also gauged public opinion on the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). 

About 28.8% of respondents had a favorable view of the CTU, while 60.2% held an unfavorable opinion, and the remainder had no opinion.

Regarding CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, who recently faced criticism for comments about special needs students, 18.5% viewed her favorably, 55.4% unfavorably, and the rest had no opinion.

CTU potential strike

These results come as the CTU considers a possible strike next month amid ongoing negotiations with Chicago Public Schools over a new labor contract.

CTU has played a significant role in local politics, backing the election of the mayor, several alderpeople, and other public officials.

However, Austin Berg of the Policy Institute believes the poll results indicate a decline in the union's political influence.

"Chicagoans like their teachers, love their schools, but they do not like the Chicago Teachers Union political machine. In fact, for every one Chicagoan with a favorable opinion of the CTU, two have an unfavorable opinion of the CTU. So, they have become politically toxic in the city of Chicago, and voters are actually much less likely to vote for candidates who are backed with Chicago Teachers Union money," said Berg. 

What they're saying:

Both the CTU and the mayor's office declined to comment on the poll. However, the mayor was asked earlier Monday about the possibility of a teacher strike, to which he responded:

"Schools that are fully resourced, fully staffed with rich, broad curriculum that includes after-school activities, that's what the people of Chicago want, that's certainly what I want as a parent. And, we're gonna continue to push in this moment to ensure that every single child across the city of Chicago has a well-resourced neighborhood school."

The Source: The information from this article was provided by M3 strategies, 

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