Category Archives: Chicago Teachers Union

CORE at CPS Budget Hearings

CPS Budget Hearings Teachers, students, parents and community members demonstrated their anger at open budget hearings Tuesday, Aug 18th at Lane Tech HS and Wednesday, Aug 19th at Westinghouse HS. Another hearing will take place tonight, Thursday, Aug 20th, at Corliss HS (821 W 103rd St). Article at Another article at

PACT Settles Lawsuit With Board

PACT’s efforts in Lynch v. Huberman to lift CPS’s ban on campaigning in schools were essential to CORE’s ultimate victory. With a settlement of the lawsuit pending, CORE takes a moment to thank PACT for their efforts.

Report from Emergency Board Meeting 6.15.2010

CPS called  an emergency Board meeting on Tuesday, June 15 to pass a resolution that will drastically change our working conditions and the learning opportunities for our students.  The resolution was passed unanimously at the meeting, in spite of every single speaker during the “public participation” portion urging the board members to vote “no.” This [...]

President-Elect Karen Lewis on Chicago Tonight

…and the winner is,

From Substance News: Karen Lewis has been elected president of the Chicago Teachers Union, and CORE has won the leadership of the 30,000-member CTU by a landslide. Lewis, a Martin Luther King Jr. High School Chemistry teacher, headed the slate of candidates from the caucus called CORE (the Caucus of Rank and File Educators) and [...]

Imagine the Power of 30,000

Last minute attempts to look proactive before an election will not make our Union any stronger. CTU members deserve leadership with forethought, integrity, and imagination. CORE’s imagination has allowed us to look beyond business-as-usual failed practices. Although CORE only allows CTU members to vote on official business, we have created coalitions with parents and community [...]

CORE Presidential Candidate Karen Lewis on WGN News

6/8/2010 WGN-9 News

CORE Presidential Candidate Karen Lewis on Garrard McClendon Live 6/8/2010

*at the time of the broadcast, the CTU provided no details or documentation for their lawsuit. This may be due to the fact that the charges have no legal precedent and the actual transgression had not yet occurred.

“We need to reclaim what it means to be Local One.”-Karen Lewis

Karen Lewis on Moving Forward June 3, 2010.

CTU Unity

Karen Lewis’ speech to the House of Delegates (6/2/2010): Good afternoon.  I would like to thank PACT, CSDU and SEA for running honest campaigns, based on the issues; and for their support. I am honored … and exhilarated.  Those of you who are unaligned and voted for CORE, thank you. Last week’s rally was incredible.  [...]