Chicago Teachers Union Emerges as Political Powerhouse in Mayoral Runoff

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is a powerful political institution in the city and has spent over a decade cultivating a distinct and influential brand of street-fighting, social justice-driven unionism. The CTU has supported winning campaigns of progressive Democrats to the Chicago City Council, Illinois General Assembly, and Congress. The union has bankrolled Brandon Johnson's campaign with millions of dollars, and committed up to $2 million more through a CTU plan to apportion a chunk of monthly member dues to union PACs. The election comes as Chicago schools stand to re-enter a period of financial turmoil that left officials relying on expensive borrowing to keep the lights on and make payroll not long ago.