CHICAGO – When protestors held signs saying "We Support Chicago Teachers and Staff" last week alongside striking teachers and staff, they may not have had any idea how much those signs were going to cost them between 2020 and 2025.
The Chicago Teachers Union ended an 11-day walkout after reaching an agreement with Mayor Lori Lightfoot that’s poised to cost a total of at least $627 million during the next five years, the Illinois Policy Institute reports.
The tentative contract struck Oct. 31 includes a number of CTU’s compensation and staffing demands, while denying the union other top wishes such as affordable housing provisions, increased preparation time and a three-year contract. The deal will cost taxpayers at least $114 million in its first year.
But one detail that didn’t make headlines will hurt students and cost taxpayers for years: Unused sick days that can be traded for pension credit went from 40 days up to 244 days. That move will either boost teacher pensions or allow staff to retire earlier.
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