Chicago Teachers Union leaders would like the public to believe that recent federal scrutiny of their finances is part of a right-wing conspiracy — an attack on educators, students, and social justice itself. That framing may be effective rally rhetoric. It is also deeply misleading.
This controversy isn’t about ideology or national culture wars. It’s about something far simpler and far more fundamental: money, accountability, and the public’s right to know how taxpayer dollars are spent.
Taxpayers fund Chicago’s public schools. Teachers are paid with taxpayer dollars. Teachers then pay mandatory union dues. Those dues fund one of the most powerful political organizations in the city.
That circular flow of public money is precisely why transparency matters.
When a union exercises enormous influence over education policy, contract negotiations, elections, and legislation — often claiming to speak for students and families — it cannot credibly argue that basic financial disclosure is an act of political persecution. It is a condition of public trust.
A Familiar Deflection
In communications to its members, CTU leadership portrays audits and inquiries as retaliation for the union’s advocacy for Black, Latino, LGBTQ, and low-income students. That claim is emotionally charged — and strategically convenient. But it sidesteps the actual question being asked…
Continue reading this commentary on Crain’s Chicago Business’ website (with free account) here.
Home > Opinion: Transparency Isn’t a Political Attack — It’s a Public Obligation
Opinion: Transparency Isn’t a Political Attack — It’s a Public Obligation
By Sara Albrecht | February 20, 2026
(Crain’s Chicago Business: Commentary)
Chicago Teachers Union leaders would like the public to believe that recent federal scrutiny of their finances is part of a right-wing conspiracy — an attack on educators, students, and social justice itself. That framing may be effective rally rhetoric. It is also deeply misleading.
This controversy isn’t about ideology or national culture wars. It’s about something far simpler and far more fundamental: money, accountability, and the public’s right to know how taxpayer dollars are spent.
Taxpayers fund Chicago’s public schools. Teachers are paid with taxpayer dollars. Teachers then pay mandatory union dues. Those dues fund one of the most powerful political organizations in the city.
That circular flow of public money is precisely why transparency matters.
When a union exercises enormous influence over education policy, contract negotiations, elections, and legislation — often claiming to speak for students and families — it cannot credibly argue that basic financial disclosure is an act of political persecution. It is a condition of public trust.
A Familiar Deflection
In communications to its members, CTU leadership portrays audits and inquiries as retaliation for the union’s advocacy for Black, Latino, LGBTQ, and low-income students. That claim is emotionally charged — and strategically convenient. But it sidesteps the actual question being asked…
Continue reading this commentary on Crain’s Chicago Business’ website (with free account) here.