The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools entered the “fact finding” phase of negotiations in January 2025. Here’s what that means, whether Chicago students might be out of class, when and what it all could do to taxpayers.

Spread the love

The Chicago Teachers Union isn’t likely to be on strike until April under Illinois labor laws.

The union had expected to sail through contract negotiations with Chicago Public Schools this time around after bankrolling one of their own union operatives into City Hall in 2023.

“This year’s CTU contract negotiations will be different than any other,” CTU boasted in April 2024. Then the union started negotiations with a self-proclaimed “defiant” list of more than 700 demands that would cost the district an additional $10.2 billion to $13.8 billion. The union’s president was cavalier about how it “will cost $50 billion and 3 cents. And so what?”

But despite having former CTU employee Brandon Johnson as mayor, there’s been a gigantic hurdle: the school district’s $500 million budget deficit and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez’ determination not to stick it to Chicago taxpayers.

Seven months after the expiration of the previous agreement, the two sides are deadlocked on several provisions. They formally entered the “fact finding” portion of negotiations in January 2025, moving CTU one step closer to going on strike.

Here’s what you need to know about fact finding, how it could play out in coming weeks and how CTU is posturing itself for a strike – its go-to weapon against the families and taxpayers of Chicago.

What is fact finding?

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act governs collective bargaining between public school districts and teachers unions. Under the law, when CPS and CTU fail to reach an agreement, the dispute can be submitted to “fact finding” by either side.

Under the law, the parties each choose one member of the fact-finding panel and then together choose “a qualified impartial individual to serve as the fact finder and chairperson.” The fact finder is given several duties and powers, including conducting hearings and requiring the parties to submit final offers.

If the dispute is not settled within 75 days of the appointment of the fact-finding panel, the panel issues a private report containing advisory findings of fact and recommended terms of settlement. That report must be based on several criteria, including the best interest of the students and families and the district’s financial ability to fund the proposals.

The union and district then have 15 days to reject the fact finder’s report. If either rejects the report, it becomes public for 30 daysAfter that, the union must give a 10-day notice before it goes on strike.

The process has been in Illinois law since 2010. As CTU acknowledges, it has rejected the fact finder’s recommendations every time find finding has been used in its negotiations.

CTU isn’t likely to go on strike until April

Estimates of a strike timeline range from March to mid-April, but based on the current fact-finding process, a strike is not likely until early April.

CTU originally requested fact finding in October 2024, but it was delayed at the union’s request. Fact finding has now officially resumed, with CTU and CPS filing their written arguments on Jan. 20.

CTU expects the fact finder to issue his recommendations in mid-February, but at least one source has cited Feb. 6 as a possible release date. If that is the case, the parties would have 15 days – until Feb. 21 – to reject it. If published on Feb. 21, it would be 30 days – March 23 – before the union could issue it’s 10-day strike notice. That means it would be April 2 before the union could officially go on strike.

Notably, this falls right in the middle of the March 3-April 18 testing window for the online Illinois Assessment of Readiness, the state assessment and accountability measure given to all Illinois students in third through eighth grades. A strike during that time would disrupt that important benchmark for understanding reading and math proficiency levels in Chicago’s schools, an accountability measure CTU has fought and even deemed as racist.

CTU’s current posturing about the unfairness of fact finding is hypocritical

CTU claims the fact-finding process is stacked against the union, claiming it was “devised” by Rahm Emanuel in 2010 to weaken the union. The union ignores the fact that the law had to be passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by then-Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat.

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates also implied the process pushes the union toward a strike. “To force our hand to take a strike vote is a very cruel and mean joke,” she told WBEZ.

But that’s not what the union said last fall when it initiated fact finding. At that time, CTU told its members fact finding should help avoid a strike.

“No one wants to go on strike. Fact finding should make it unnecessary,” it posted.

The union also called the fact finder chosen by the parties, Marty Malin, a “nationally renowned labor arbitrator.” Not someone who is going to use labor laws unfairly against the union, as the union is currently implying.

What’s more, if CTU didn’t like the fact-finding provisions in Illinois law, it could have had the provisions changed. CTU has a history of getting what it wants from lawmakers in Springfield.

The union officially registered its position on 59 bills during the 103rd General Assembly, which ran from 2023 through 2024. Of those, it supported 54 bills and opposed five bills.

Here’s the kicker: lawmakers passed 32 of the 54 bills CTU supported. That’s a nearly 60% passage rate. What about the bills it opposed? Zip. None passed.

Taken together, the Illinois General Assembly did what CTU told them to do on more than 6 out of every 10 bills. From charter schools to minimum wage at restaurants, CTU had an opinion. For the most part, lawmakers did the union’s bidding – and never went against its wishes. That’s an incredible record, and one CTU could have used to its advantage in pushing changes to the fact-finding provisions.
Read More At Illinois Policy.com

Related Posts

Adler Planetarium’s Sky Observers Live View of the – “Blood Moon!” Lunar Eclipse March 2025

Spread the love

A Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse will be visible across much of North and South America!

The Uphill Battle of a Chicago Entrepreneur: A Microchip, Venture Capital, Bureaucracy, and a Disruptive Dream! Do They Really Want To Make America Great Again? The Advent Of THE SUPER INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CHIP SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE!

Spread the love

THE SUPER INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CHIP SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE!

One thought on “The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools entered the “fact finding” phase of negotiations in January 2025. Here’s what that means, whether Chicago students might be out of class, when and what it all could do to taxpayers.

  1. My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web
    address and thought I might check things out. I like what I
    see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking at your web page for a second time.

  2. Nice weblog right here! Also your web site rather a lot up fast!

    What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link for your host?
    I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  3. I want to get across my admiration for your kind-heartedness supporting those people that actually need help on the matter. Your personal dedication to getting the solution all around became especially insightful and have consistently permitted women like me to achieve their desired goals. The valuable guidelines indicates so much a person like me and much more to my peers. Many thanks; from everyone of us.

  4. It’s appropriate time to make a few plans for the future and it’s
    time to be happy. I have learn this submit and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.
    Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.
    I want to read even more issues about it!

  5. I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your information. Your article
    has really peaked my interest. I will take a note of your blog and keep checking for new
    information about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  6. What’s up to all, as I am actually eager of reading this web site’s post
    to be updated daily. It carries pleasant material.

  7. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but,
    I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.

    Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

  8. Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to give
    it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Superb blog and terrific design.

  9. After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked
    on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added
    I recieve four emails with the same comment.
    Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service?
    Kudos!

  10. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I truly
    enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.
    I will make certain to bookmark your blog and
    definitely will come back from now on. I want to encourage one to continue your great job,
    have a nice weekend!

  11. Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a
    team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us useful information to work
    on. You have done a extraordinary job!

  12. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.

    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.

    I’m quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

  13. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move
    to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of
    the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress
    on a number of websites for about a year and am concerned about switching
    to another platform. I have heard fantastic things about
    blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress
    posts into it? Any help would be really appreciated!

  14. I was more than happy to discover this great site.

    I want to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!!
    I definitely loved every bit of it and I have you book-marked to check out new things in your website.

  15. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more
    of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

  16. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like
    to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog
    you might be interested in hearing. Either way,
    great website and I look forward to seeing it develop over
    time.

  17. This is really attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively
    professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and sit up for searching for
    extra of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your site in my
    social networks

  18. Just want to say your article is as surprising.
    The clearness for your post is just great and that i can think you are an expert in this subject.
    Fine along with your permission let me to take hold of your feed to
    stay updated with imminent post. Thank you one million and please carry on the rewarding work.

  19. I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been using?
    I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest site
    and I would like to find something more risk-free.

    Do you have any solutions?

  20. Testosterone Cypionate Cycle: A Beginner’s Guide

    Testosterone cypionate is a synthetic form of testosterone that serves as a replacement or supplement for the hormone produced naturally by the body. It is commonly used to address conditions of low testosterone (hypogonadism) and may be prescribed for various therapeutic purposes.

    Benefits of Testosterone Cypionate

    Using testosterone cypionate can provide numerous benefits, including:

    Improved physical performance and strength

    Enhanced energy levels and motivation

    Better mental clarity and mood stabilization

    Increased libido and sexual health

    Reversal of symptoms caused by low testosterone

    How It Works

    Testosterone cypionate works by mimicking the body’s natural production of testosterone. When administered properly, it replaces deficient levels in the bloodstream, thereby restoring normal physiological functions.

    Who Should Consider a Testosterone Cypionate Cycle?

    While testosterone therapy can be beneficial, it is not suitable for everyone. It may be appropriate for:

    Males diagnosed with low testosterone levels

    Individuals looking to improve physical health and athletic performance

    Post-corticosteroid use cases (to help restore hormone balance)

    Men over the age of 18 who have been prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider

    Preparation and Administration

    Before starting a testosterone cypionate cycle:

    Consult with your doctor to determine if it’s safe and appropriate for you.

    Understand the potential risks and side effects associated with testosterone therapy.

    Ensure proper injection techniques are learned, such as cleaning the injection site with alcohol and using sterile needles.

    Risks and Side Effects

    While testosterone cypionate can offer significant benefits, it carries some risks. These may include:

    Infections at the injection site

    Blood clots or cardiovascular issues

    Hair loss or changes in skin texture

    Acne and other skin reactions

    Always monitor for any unusual symptoms and report them to your healthcare provider immediately.

    Conclusion

    Testosterone cypionate can be a powerful tool for addressing low testosterone levels and improving overall health. However, it is crucial to approach it with caution and under professional medical supervision. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any hormone therapy program to ensure your safety and well-being.

    # Testosterone Cypionate Cycle: Guide For Beginners

    ## Understanding Testosterone Cypionate

    Testosterone Cypionate is a synthetic steroid that mimics the male hormone testosterone. It is one of the most commonly used anabolic steroids, known for its effectiveness in enhancing muscle growth, recovery, and overall physical performance. Unlike other forms like Testosterone Enanthate or Acetate, Cypionate has a longer ester duration, providing a slower release of testosterone into the bloodstream.

    ## What is Testosterone Cypionate?

    Testosterone Cypionate is an injectable steroid that is structurally similar to natural testosterone. It’s derived from cholesterol and is processed in the body to promote muscle growth, fat loss, and increased libido. This form of testosterone has a longer half-life compared to other esters, allowing for less frequent injections.

    ## Legal Status and Medical Uses

    Testosterone Cypionate is classified as a controlled substance under international and domestic regulations. It is legally available only through a valid prescription from a licensed physician for specific medical conditions, such as hypogonadism, transgender hormone therapy, or in cases of male infertility under medical supervision.

    In medical contexts, Testosterone Cypionate is used to treat conditions where testosterone levels are deficient. It helps in restoring hormonal balance and can improve quality of life in patients with hypogonadism or other testosterone-deficient disorders.

    ## Benefits of Testosterone Cypionate Cycle

    1. **Muscle Growth**: Testosterone Cypionate promotes muscle hypertrophy, leading to larger muscle mass.
    2. **Fat Loss**: It supports fat reduction by enhancing metabolism and protein synthesis.
    3. **Physical Performance**: Users often experience improved endurance and strength.
    4. **Libido**: Enhances sexual desire and function.
    5. **Bone Density**: Improves bone health by increasing bone mineral density.
    6. **Hormonal Balance**: Restores testosterone levels in deficient individuals.

    ## Testosterone Cypionate Cycle for Beginners

    ### Recommended Dosage for Novices

    Beginners should start with a low dose of Testosterone Cypionate, typically 100-250mg per week. This dosage is sufficient to initiate muscle growth without causing adverse effects like water retention or hormonal imbalances.

    ### Cycle Length Considerations

    The cycle length varies based on individual goals and tolerance. A common starting point is 4-6 weeks, with some users extending it up to 12 weeks for more significant results. However, longer cycles may increase the risk of side effects.

    ### Frequency of Injections

    Since Testosterone Cypionate has a longer ester duration, injections can be administered less frequently—often once weekly—but should be spaced at least every 7-10 days to maintain consistent levels in the bloodstream.

    ## Potential Side Effects and Risks

    1. **Mild Side Effects**: Water retention, acne, and increased libido.
    2. **Severe Side Effects**: Liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and hormonal imbalances.
    3. **Risks**: Long-term use can lead to testicular atrophy and infertility; misuse can result in permanent organ damage.

    ## Preparing for Your First Testosterone Cypionate Cycle

    ### Pre-cycle Health Check-ups

    Consult a healthcare provider to ensure your testosterone levels are within the normal range. Blood tests for testosterone,estradiol, and liver function are essential before starting the cycle.

    ### Gathering Necessary Supplies

    – Sterile syringes and needles
    – Alcohol swabs
    – Antiseptic solution
    – Waste disposal container

    ### Setting Realistic Goals

    Define clear objectives, such as muscle growth or fat loss, to stay motivated and avoid overuse of Testosterone Cypionate.

    ## Proper Administration Techniques

    1. **Injection Sites**: Commonly used sites include the deltoid (shoulder), gluteal (buttocks), or abdominal muscles.
    2. **Preparation**: Clean the injection site with alcohol swabs; do not reuse needles to avoid infection.
    3. **Dosage Calculation**: Ensure correct dosage based on individual needs and medical advice.

    ## Combining Testosterone Cypionate with Other Compounds

    ### Synergistic Effects and Considerations

    – **Testosterone Enanthate**: Often combined for a staggered release.
    – **Arimidex**: Used to manage estrogen-related side effects.
    – **Other AAS (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids)**: Can be incorporated carefully, but require monitoring for adverse effects.

    ## Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) Essentials

    ### Importance of PCT

    After discontinuing Testosterone Cypionate, levels drop, leading to hormonal imbalances. PCT is essential to restore natural hormone production and avoid complications like testicular atrophy.

    ### Recommended Supplements

    – **Clomid**: Stimulates natural testosterone production.
    – **Nolvadex**: Reduces estrogen-related side effects.

    ### Duration of PCT

    Typically lasts 4-6 weeks post-cycle, with blood work monitoring to adjust treatment as needed.

    ## Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Your Cycle

    ### Tracking Physical Changes

    Regularly monitor muscle growth, strength gains, and fat loss to assess the effectiveness of the cycle. Adjust dosage or cycle length if progress stalls or side effects emerge.

    ### Blood Work and Hormone Level Checks

    Periodic blood tests are crucial to ensure hormonal health. Monitor testosterone, estrogen, and liver function throughout the cycle.

    ## Conclusion

    Testosterone Cypionate is a powerful tool for enhancing physical performance and muscle growth, but it comes with significant risks and legal considerations. Proper usage, under medical supervision, is essential to maximize benefits while minimizing harm. Always consult healthcare professionals before starting any steroid cycle.

    ## FAQ

    1. **What is Testosterone Cypionate?**
    – A synthetic steroid mimicking testosterone, used for muscle growth and performance enhancement.

    2. **How does Testosterone Cypionate work in the body?**
    – It is metabolized into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estrogens, influencing muscle and bone metabolism.

    3. **What are the legal status and medical uses of Testosterone Cypionate?**
    – Available by prescription for medical conditions like hypogonadism; illegal without proper authorization.

    4. **What are the benefits of a Testosterone Cypionate cycle?**
    – Enhances muscle growth, fat loss, and overall physical performance.

    5. **What is the recommended dosage and cycle length for beginners?**
    – Dosage: 100-250mg/week; Cycle length: 4-6 weeks, extendable up to 12 weeks.

    6. **What are the potential side effects and risks of Testosterone Cypionate use?**
    – Includes mild side effects like acne, water retention, and severe risks like liver damage and infertility.

    7. **How should Testosterone Cypionate be administered?**
    – Injected weekly into deltoid or gluteal muscles with sterile equipment to avoid infection.

    8. **Can Testosterone Cypionate be combined with other compounds?**
    – Yes, but requires careful consideration of side effects and interactions.

    9. **What is Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) and why is it important?**
    – PCT restores natural hormone production post-cycle, crucial for maintaining health and preventing complications.

    10. **How should progress be monitored during a Testosterone Cypionate cycle?**
    – Track physical changes and conduct regular blood work to ensure safety and efficacy.

    This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Testosterone Cypionate usage, emphasizing the need for caution and medical supervision. Always prioritize health and legality when considering steroid use.

    Visit my web site: getting big without steroids; https://skills4sports.eu/blog/index.php?entryid=29363,

  21. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a
    little bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A great read.

    I will definitely be back.

  22. I believe this is one of the so much important information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to commentary on few common things, The site taste is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good process, cheers

  23. I absolutely love your site.. Excellent colors &
    theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own site and want to learn where you got this from or
    just what the theme is named. Cheers!

  24. Greetings I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was
    searching on Askjeeve for something else, Regardless I am here
    now and would just like to say many thanks for a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
    go through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS
    feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the superb work. http://Pinetree.sg/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=285708

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *