As a Chicagoan, I'm frustrated with Mayor Johnson's budget priorities

I am writing to to express my deep concerns and frustrations regarding Mayor Brandon Johnson’s recent actions and decisions, which I believe are detrimental to the residents and small business owners of Chicago.

Firstly, Johnson’s decision to raise property taxes is deeply troubling. Chicago residents already bear the burden of one of the highest property taxes in the nation. This additional increase exacerbates the financial strain on homeowners, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet in an already challenging economic climate.

Secondly, the proposal to increase the tax on alcohol sales in small businesses such as restaurants and bars is another harmful measure. These establishments are a vital part of our community and economy, many of which are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. This tax not only places an undue burden on small business owners but also discourages residents from supporting local establishments.

Furthermore, Johnson appears to be prioritizing the interests of the Chicago Teachers Union over those of the general public. The CTU’s demand for a 9% raise is unreasonable, particularly given the inadequacies within the school system. As a taxpayer, I have not seen substantial improvements in the quality of education to justify such a demand. Additionally, many hard-working Chicagoans have not received raises of this magnitude in decades, with most employees fortunate to see a 3–4% increase annually.

The lack of transparency and accountability in these decisions undermines the trust of Chicago’s residents. I urge the mayor’s office to reconsider these measures and adopt policies that prioritize the welfare of all Chicagoans, rather than catering to special interest groups.

Barbara Singer, O'Hare

Chicago Teachers Union proposals would help, not hurt, students

Three CPS parents claim in a recent Sun-Times op-ed that Chicago Teachers Union contract demands would harm students. However, like most ideas from "astroturf" groups like Kids First, their argument relies on selective data, flawed assumptions and a refusal to address the real issue: underinvestment in schools and students. Parent voices do matter — so do facts.

Take their statistic that “only about one in three CPS students reads at grade level, less than one in five is at grade level in math.” These numbers are troubling, but this is not a CPS-specific failure. Roughly 1 in 2 U.S. adults read below a sixth-grade level and only 30% can count, sort, and do basic arithmetic. This is a national education policy issue, but critics only cite this data to blame CPS teachers, not to push for solutions.

CTU offers real solutions: K-2 reading specialists, fully staffed libraries, and bilingual educators aiming to address literacy and numeracy head-on. When critics don't acknowledge these proposals, it raises the question: are they looking at all, or are they choosing to ignore the parts that do not fit their argument?

The op-ed argues that CTU wants to "lower standards" in teacher evaluations, claiming that "1 in 4 CPS teachers are not proficient." This figure reflects a flawed system. The Danielson Framework, never intended to be a high-stakes evaluation tool, disproportionately penalizes teachers in underfunded, high-needs schools. Teachers at "opportunity schools" are far likelier to be rated "basic," while teachers in well-funded schools are more likely to be rated "proficient" or "distinguished." The framework does not measure teacher effectiveness, it reflects inequities in school resources.

Lastly, the op-ed proposes linking teacher pay to student test scores. If a teacher is working in a school serving students facing generational poverty and systemic disinvestment, those students are likely to face more barriers to academic success. Tying pay to systemic barriers punishes teachers for working in high-needs schools, where vacancy rates are often higher already. To support Black and Brown students, we should support the teachers working with them, not create policies that drive them away.

CTU’s proposals — more libraries, specialists, support staff — are about equity, not perks. If we want to help students, we must fund the solutions, not attack them.

Ryan W. Brown, Bilingual English Language Arts teacher, Chicago Public Schools

Cut mayor, alderperson salaries

Why is it that there are no salary cuts for the mayor and City Council members in the proposed budget? Fiscal responsibility should start at the top. If we citizens have to bite the bullet, so should our politicians.

Joe Urbancik, Morgan Park

Enough with the insurance ads

Now that the election is over, I have to believe that no matter how you voted, everyone is happy to be done with the political commercials. I only wish that something could be done to get rid of the inane insurance company commercials that flood our TV screens all day and night.

They are not funny, not informative and just increase the cost of their products.

Steven Fortuna, Naperville