Prairie State Wire

Andrew Chesney, a State Senator from Illinois, has expressed concerns regarding the influence of teachers unions on state education policy. He suggests that these unions prioritize their interests over student outcomes and cites the low approval ratings of Chicago's mayor as indicative of voter dissatisfaction. Chesney made these remarks during an appearance on the Prairie State Wire Podcast.

"No, it's really the teacher unions," said Chesney, Attorney Author. "We have a mayor in the city of Chicago that has an approval rating somewhere between nine and 12%."

Since 2020, teachers unions in Illinois have played a significant role in shaping statewide education policy. Their advocacy efforts have focused on various areas, including funding formulas, literacy mandates, and pandemic recovery plans. Union support was instrumental in determining the 2024 Evidence-Based Funding allocations and advocating for a 2022 constitutional amendment that expanded collective bargaining rights for school employees. Union leaders have also publicly commented on the State Board of Education’s reading and accountability frameworks. These developments are documented in state education reports and union analyses.

According to the 2024 Illinois Report Card, English language arts proficiency among students in grades 3-8 reached a new high of 40.9%, while the four-year graduation rate increased to 87.7%. However, chronic absenteeism remained at 26.3% in 2024. These statistics highlight both progress in certain areas and ongoing challenges with attendance, as reported by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

In 2024, Illinois' overall union membership rate stood at 13.1%, compared to the national average of 9.9%, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While specific data for teachers unions in Illinois is less readily available, the Illinois Education Association has acknowledged a decline in membership and noted that less than 15% of its spending in 2024 was allocated to representation services.

Chesney currently serves as the State Senator for Illinois' 45th District since 2023 and previously represented District 89 as a State Representative from 2018 to 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Arizona State University and has worked in sales roles prior to his political career. Chesney has sponsored various pieces of legislation related to education and school choice, including a resolution urging the governor to adopt federal school choice tax credit programs.

The education system in Illinois is overseen by ISBE and operates through approximately 850 local school districts, including Chicago Public Schools. Collective bargaining for teachers is governed under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act and adjudicated by the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB). This framework supports contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and implementation of state education policy.