Chicago Teachers Union conduct walk-ins, urging State to pony up proper CPS funding

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Teachers at schools across Chicago and the country took part in the national walk-in with COVID relief funding set to expire today.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates joined teachers outside of Mollison Elementary in Bronzeville Monday morning to participate in a walk-in,  demanding full funding for public education.

The South Side school has the highest vacancy rate in the city. The union president said Chicago Public Schools needs to do better.

“They’re teaching multiple grade levels at the same time in one classroom,” Davis Gates said. “Our CEO Pedro Martinez told us that these schools would be fully staffed one day one. That’s what he told us in July. That’s what he told us again in August. We are here to give you an example of a place that is not fully funded.”

She said the CPS CEO can't do it alone.

“We are calling in our Governor JB Pritzker. We’re calling in our Speaker of the House Chris Welch. We’re calling in our [IL] Senate President Don Harmon. We are calling in every member of the general assembly to work together, to give all of our communities across Illinois, a win-win, again this is a nationwide walk-in,” Davis Gates said.

The District is facing a $500 million shortfall, with the fall veto session starting in November for state legislators.

Martinez addressed the school funding issue at an unrelated event on the Far North Side Monday morning in Rogers Park. He said the boost in funding should be a top priority for everyone.

“I don’t mind getting pushed to do more,” Martinez said. “I think all of us need to do more, but it’s really important that it’s everybody’s priority. Me by myself can’t do it.”

Chicago's Board of Education has not as yet acted on Mayor Johnson's call for Martinez to be dismissed, in part over disagreements about school funding.

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