Illinois Federation of Teachers / Chicago Teachers Union

The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), based in Oak Brook, is a branch of the American Federation of Teachers. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), based in Chicago, is the largest Local of the IFT. The IFT/CTU represent 90,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in K-12 school districts throughout Illinois, higher education faculty as well as staff, and public employees. The IFT/CTU legislative agenda includes increasing funding for public schools, increasing teacher pensions, improving health care plans and retirement benefits for public school teachers, and creating more opportunities for adjunct and non-tenured professors. The IFT has publicly sided with Governor Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones in efforts to reform school funding and has shown support for Governor Blagojevich's school budget proposals.

The IFT and the CTU are career patrons of Governor Rod Blagojevich (D), Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D), Secretary of State Jessie White (D), Comptroller Daniel Hynes (D), Senate President Emil Jones (D), and Democratic Party Chair and Speaker of the House Michael Madigan (D).

From January 1, 1993 through June 30, 2006 the Illinois Federation of Teachers / Chicago Teachers Union contributed $6,261,000 ($4,340,000 from the Illinois Federation of Teachers, $1,921,000 from the Chicago Teachers Union) to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 93% of which was contributed to Democrats.

Last revised September 2006.