## Ethical Questions Surround Mayor Johnson and CPS Contract Negotiations
The ongoing contract negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have become entangled in a web of ethical concerns surrounding Mayor Brandon Johnson. A legal filing by CPS CEO Pedro Martinez raises questions about potential conflicts of interest stemming from the mayor’s continued leave of absence from CPS. The filing highlights that should Mayor Johnson return to teaching, he would financially benefit from any salary increases negotiated during the current contract talks. This situation is further complicated by the CPS board’s recent vote to fire Martinez, a decision he is legally challenging.
A 2023 memo from CPS Chief Talent Officer Ben Felton, included in Martinez’s filing and first reported by the *Chicago Tribune*, details concerns regarding the mayor’s and former Deputy Mayor Jen Johnson’s (no relation) continued leaves of absence from CPS while working for, and in the case of the Mayor, overseeing the CTU. Felton expressed worry about a potential conflict of interest, noting the possibility of guaranteed future CPS employment for both Johnsons upon their return. He suggested that Mayor Johnson resign from CPS entirely and that the Deputy Mayor take a personal leave of absence. However, Deputy Mayor Johnson reported to Felton that the Mayor refused to resign, citing his desire to signal support for teachers and education. Following consultations with the city’s ethics adviser, the “status quo” was maintained. Mayor Johnson’s office has not responded to requests for comment.
Adding to the complexities, Martinez obtained a temporary restraining order preventing CPS board members from participating in contract negotiations without his approval. This action followed an incident where board members attended a union bargaining session without Martinez’s knowledge or consent. Cook County Judge Joel Chupack issued the order, highlighting the ongoing legal battle between Martinez and the CPS board.
Meanwhile, the CTU has publicly expressed concerns that CPS is deliberately slowing down negotiations. Zeidre Foster, a member of the union bargaining team, stated that progress stalled significantly on Thursday, with only one proposal received after four hours of scheduled bargaining. This claim was refuted by CPS’s Felton, who asserted that negotiations are progressing at full speed and highlighted proposals submitted to the CTU on Christmas Eve covering eleven different articles. Felton acknowledged remaining financial and non-financial issues, including substantial budget deficits facing CPS in the coming years.
The CTU is pressing for a contract agreement before a new, partially elected school board is seated on January 15th and before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20th. The confluence of these legal challenges, ethical questions, and looming deadlines creates a highly charged atmosphere surrounding the critical contract negotiations.