IFT President Dan Montgomery released the following statement today in support of striking Chicago Teachers Union, IFT Local 1, and SEIU Local 73:
"The 103,000 members of the Illinois Federation of Teachers stand with the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73 as they send a clear message to Mayor Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools: Enough of the austerity agenda. Students in Chicago should not be forced to learn in larger classrooms without critical services while students in Niles, Evanston, Oak Park, and other districts have smaller classes, librarians and nurses, the resources children need. Sadly, Mayor Lightfoot has yet to meaningfully address the disparities in our school communities. Our members will stand with the CTU and SEIU Local 73 for as long as they need to win educational justice for the students of Chicago.”
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The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) represents 103,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in PreK-12 school districts throughout Illinois, faculty and staff at Illinois’ community colleges and universities, public employees under every statewide elected constitutional officer, and retirees.