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Chicago Teachers Union and CPS Finalize Tentative Four-Year Contract

The agreement, pending ratification, includes pay raises, reduced class sizes, and investments in school resources without a strike for the first time in 15 years.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, speaks as President Chicago Firefighters Local 2, Pat Cleary, right, listens while dozens of Chicago Teachers Union and firefighter union members and supporters rally on March 24, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez gives an updated on contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union at a press conference at CPS Headquarters on Feb. 6, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • The tentative agreement offers teachers a 4% pay raise in the first year, with increases of up to 5% in the following three years.
  • Class size reductions are supported by a $40 million investment, including hiring teaching assistants for oversized classrooms and lowering kindergarten class limits from 32 to 25 students.
  • The contract guarantees 90 new librarian positions over three years and allocates $10 million annually for arts, music, and sports programs, prioritizing low-income schools.
  • Provisions include sanctuary protections for immigrant students, expanded support for English Language Learners, and reforms to teacher evaluations for veteran educators.
  • The agreement also commits to climate initiatives, such as installing solar panels at 30 schools and removing lead pipes, addressing both educational and environmental equity.