Chicago Public Schools Fund Teacher Participation in May Day Protests as Student Reading Proficiency Remains Near 40 Percent
Why It Matters
Illinois taxpayers are raising questions about priorities inside Chicago Public Schools after the district agreed to fund transportation for teachers and students to attend a May Day political protest — even as fewer than half of students read at grade level. The arrangement has reignited a national debate over whether teachers unions are prioritizing political activism over academic performance in America’s public schools.
The controversy touches directly on parental rights, government accountability, and the use of public education funds for partisan political activities in one of the country’s largest urban school districts.
What Happened
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) pushed back against holding classes on May 1, known internationally as May Day — a day of protest associated with socialist, communist, and unionist movements. When parents objected that canceling school for a political demonstration placed an unfair burden on working families, the dispute drew widespread attention.
The Chicago Public Schools ultimately reached an agreement that classes would be held, but the district confirmed it would provide city-funded buses for both students and educators to attend the May Day protests. City officials also announced there would be no disciplinary consequences for students or teachers who left school to participate in the demonstration.
CTU Vice President Jackson Potter defended the arrangement, stating that “teaching our students what civic action looks like requires more than textbooks.” CPS CEO Macquline King described the agreement as honoring “the proud history of civic action in Chicago and beyond.” Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated the funding decision, calling it an opportunity for “meaningful solidarity and community resistance.”
Ahead of May Day, the CTU and the National Education Association collaborated on what they described as a “curriculum build” aimed at bringing “social justice into the classroom.” A Chicago Public Schools history teacher, Dave Stieber, was recorded saying May Day was “a dress rehearsal” for broader work stoppages, including potential future days with “no work, no school, no shopping.”
By the Numbers
2 in 5 — The approximate share of Chicago Public Schools students currently reading at grade level, meaning roughly 60 percent are not proficient readers.
93 percent — The estimated share of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign budget that came from union sources, according to reporting cited in the source material.
Millions — The amount the CTU has budgeted for political activities, according to a recent fiscal report, with significant funds funneled into Democratic campaigns including Johnson’s mayoral race.
0 — The number of city-funded accommodations or subsidized buses provided by Chicago for pro-life demonstrations or pro-Israel rallies, according to the source analysis.
Zoom Out
Chicago is not alone in allowing school absences for left-leaning political causes. In New York, students and teachers were permitted to skip school to demand a Gaza ceasefire. In other districts, students have been excused to attend climate protest events. Critics note that comparable accommodations have not been extended to conservative causes in these same school systems.
The pattern reflects a broader national concern over the role teachers unions play in shaping curriculum and school policy. Illinois has also faced scrutiny over stalled efforts to expand preschool access compared to other states, raising additional questions about whether the state’s education establishment is focused on foundational learning outcomes. Meanwhile, labor disputes in Illinois education more broadly have drawn attention, as seen in the University of Illinois Springfield faculty strike following failed contract negotiations.
The CTU holds a distinctive profile even among activist unions. A CTU delegation previously traveled to Venezuela during the Maduro regime and publicly praised conditions there under socialism — a trip that drew sharp criticism given the human rights abuses documented in that country at the time.
What’s Next
May Day protests are scheduled to proceed with the district’s logistical support, including publicly funded transportation. Whether the arrangement will face a formal challenge from parents, school board members, or state officials remains to be seen.
The controversy is likely to add fuel to ongoing policy debates in Illinois and nationally over school choice and parental rights. Advocates for education alternatives argue that when public schools divert resources and instructional time toward political activism, families deserve the option to seek institutions focused on core academic standards. Legislative momentum around school choice initiatives could gain traction if Chicago’s reading proficiency numbers continue to stagnate while union political budgets grow.