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CHICAGO–Chicago teachers, who are the second-highest paid big-city teachers in the nation, are demanding an unconscionable pay hike while workers in the private sector struggle to keep their jobs, according to Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).
“The average Chicago teacher makes $76,000 a year, according to Crain’s Chicago Business,” said Tobin, “and, in addition, Chicago picks up a 7% pension contribution for the teachers, which no other city does. The average Illinois statewide teacher salary is $63,000.”
“Depending on the source, they are demanding a 29% pay increase over 2 years (Chicago Sun-Times) or a 25% pay increase over 2 years (Crain’s), despite the fact that the CPS system is projected to have a $665 million budget deficit for the fiscal year ending next June 30. For fiscal year 2014, the deficit will soar to $1 billion.”
Download the top 100 teacher salaries for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) here.
“TUA just released the ‘Top 100’ Chicago Public Schools teacher salaries, and some truly egregious figures are revealed. The highest-paid teacher, Janet Jones, who teaches chemistry in grades 9-12 receives a salary of $183,777 for 9 months of employment.”
“Omar Fong-Bances, who teaches instrumental music, receives a salary of $123,929.”
“Robert Bush III, listed as an Auto/Automotive Mechanic/Technician, receives a salary of $113,958.”
“Between 2007 and 2012, according to Crain’s, while many Chicagoans endured pay cuts and layoffs, teachers enjoyed pay increases from 19 to 46 percent. The Chicago Teachers Union’s demand for a huge salary increase of up to 29% while threatening a strike if these demands are not met, is outrageous, unrealistic and just plain stupid.”
