Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates Outranks Mayor in Local Power List
The controversial leader of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Stacy Davis Gates, has been declared more influential than the city's own mayor in a recent power ranking. According to Chicago Magazine, Davis Gates, 49, secured the fifth position on the list of the most powerful individuals in the Windy City, placing one spot above Mayor Brandon Johnson, whose election she heavily supported.
Political Clout and Financial Muscle
Since assuming the role of CTU president in 2022, Davis Gates has wielded significant political power, further amplified by her election as head of the Illinois Federation of Teachers last year. Her union injected millions of dollars into Johnson's 2023 mayoral campaign, and her statewide position grants access to a political action committee with over $2 million in reserves. However, the magazine noted a correlation in declining influence, stating that 'as Johnson’s clout has declined, so has Davis Gates's.'
Recent political endeavors have faced challenges. The union spent $2.8 million backing ten candidates in the 2024 school board elections, but only secured four seats. Additionally, Davis Gates supported Johnson's proposed corporate head tax, which was ultimately rejected by the city council.
Controversies and Criticism
Davis Gates is no stranger to scrutiny, having been labeled a hypocrite for enrolling her own son in a private institution after previously denouncing such schools as 'segregation academies' and accusing school choice advocates of fascism. In another incident, she refused to engage with journalists, claiming she was 'not a public figure,' despite leading one of Chicago's largest political organizations.
The magazine emphasized that even if Johnson loses the 2027 mayoral race or her popularity wanes, Davis Gates retains sufficient financial resources and influence to remain a formidable force in Chicago politics. 'She’s still powerful enough - and enough of a social media troll - to be a thorn in the side of any mayor whose agenda she opposes,' the publication remarked.
Educational Challenges and Union Missteps
Amid these political dynamics, the CTU faced embarrassment in January when it deleted a social media post urging the 'ultra-wealthy' to fund schools after online mockery over a misspelling of 'governor.' The flyer targeted Governor JB Pritzker, a billionaire heir, demanding fair taxation to support public institutions, but the typo undermined its message.
This incident coincided with a damning report revealing severe educational deficiencies. According to the 2025 Illinois Report Card, over half of Chicago students failed to read at grade level, and nearly three-quarters did not achieve math proficiency. Statewide, only 40% of 11th graders were proficient in reading and 25% in math, with 40.1% of students missing at least 10% of the school year.
Media Backlash and Accountability Issues
The Washington Post criticized the union for prioritizing social justice initiatives over academic improvement, highlighting the low proficiency rates. An editorial questioned the union's commitment to students' best interests, pointing out chronic absenteeism among teachers, with about 43% of Chicago educators missing ten or more days compared to 34% statewide.
The Post further condemned Davis Gates for her history of avoiding mandatory union audits and dismissing standardized testing as 'junk science rooted in White supremacy,' accusing her of being 'allergic to accountability and excellence.'
Above Davis Gates in the power rankings were Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, billionaire Richard Uihlein, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, underscoring her significant but contentious role in the city's landscape.
