Chicago Teachers Union head dismisses contract criticism [Video]

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Stacy Davis Gates emphatically stood by her organization’s contract demands, which include social justice issues that go beyond the classroom, on the latest edition of WBBM’s “At Issue” program.

Her remarks came as conservative critics have tried to sound the alarm about how much CTU’s contract demands would cost local taxpayers. One group suggested CTU’s contract would cost taxpayers more than $10 billion, but Davis Gates dismissed the criticism.

“Forgive me, again, if conservatives pushing back on educating immigrant children, Black children, children who live in poverty, doesn’t make my anxiety go up,” she said. “That’s what they’re supposed to say.”

Beyond the traditional pay, benefits and working conditions, CTU’s latest contract demands included more affordable housing, green and sustainable school buildings and sanctuary schools.

Davis Gates said such concerns are justified because teachers live in Chicago. She’s a South Side resident, for example.

“I know what it means to, you know, figure out how to go …