North Cook News

Illinois State Senate District 10 candidate Jon Luers addressed the influence of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) on school board candidates, stating, "Obviously, the CTU wants to control both sides of their contract negotiations," in an October 14 Facebook post.

"Here is the list of the 10 School Board candidates being supported by the Chicago Teachers' Union, and the amount of their support for each one," said Luers, according to Facebook. "Obviously, the CTU wants to control both sides of their contract negotiations (on any topic they desire) while keeping the appearance of popular support. Don't let them get away with such a blatant Conflict of Interest!!"

In his post, Luers shared a link to an Illinois Policy report concerning Chicago’s school board race and the financial backing by the CTU. The report indicates that the CTU has contributed over $175,000 to candidates it endorses and is spending more than $400,000 on the Chicago Board of Education election race.

Screenshot of Jon Luers' Oct 14 Facebook post | Jon Luers for IL Senate 10t District Facebook page

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, specific donations from the CTU include: $21,573 to Friends of Jennifer Custer in District 1; $53,846 to Ebony DeBerry for School Board in District 2; $201,047 to Friends of Jason Dones in District 3; $36,194 to Neighbors for Karen Zaccor for ERSB in District 4; $14,491 to Friends of Jitu Brown in District 5; $106,894 to Neighbors for Anusha in District 6; $9,070 to Friends of Yesenia Lopez in District 7; $169,522 to Friends of Felix Ponce in District 8; $4,336 to Friends for Lanetta Thomas in District 9; and $116,514 to the Committee to Elect Rev. Robert Jones in District 10.

The Daily Caller cited Mailee Smith from a press release regarding CTU's decreasing popularity. "The CTU has grown increasingly unpopular," Smith said. She added that its leaders are eager to secure allies ahead of significant discussions involving district matters and taxpayer funds. Voters will decide if they want CTU's official involvement with the school board and broader district decisions.

Luers is a veteran software engineer with four decades of experience who is running for the Illinois Senate's 10th District. He expresses dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership at both state and national levels. According to Luers' website, he criticizes his opponent State Sen. Robert Martwick as resembling Mike Madigan due to his property tax appeals business amid rising taxes. Luers identifies public schools' condition as a major issue, describing them as "ridiculously expensive and ineffective." He attributes these problems partly to teachers' unions and notes Covid lockdowns' adverse effects on education.