In a recent legal development, Judge David B. Atkins of the Circuit Court of Cook County has ruled in favor of the Liberty Justice Center in the case of Weiss v. Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). The court denied CTU's motion to dismiss the case, marking a significant step for union members seeking increased financial transparency and accountability from their leadership.
The lawsuit was initiated by CTU members, represented by the Liberty Justice Center, who challenge the union's failure to provide legally mandated audit reports over the past five years. The plaintiffs argue that as union members, they are entitled to clear and accessible information regarding how their dues are utilized according to CTU’s Constitution.
Before proceeding with litigation, the Liberty Justice Center reached out to CTU leadership with an offer to avoid legal action. However, instead of complying, the union allegedly engaged in intimidation tactics aimed at suppressing dissent and diverting attention from its lack of financial transparency as required by its bylaws.
Judge Atkins noted that "CTU does not even directly dispute" its failure to furnish audit reports since 2020. He rejected arguments from CTU leadership suggesting that this requirement was "outdated" or that access to a "summary" of an audit report sufficed. Additionally, Judge Atkins denied a separate motion from CTU aiming to "strike" portions of Plaintiffs’ allegations while noting that CTU had accused its members of having "dubious motives" for seeking audits.
Dean McGee, Senior Counsel and Educational Freedom Attorney at the Liberty Justice Center stated: “This ruling lets us move forward to get the facts. CTU members have a right to know how their dues are spent—this case is about enforcing that right, nothing more.” He emphasized that “the union’s own constitution entitles members to fiscal transparency,” and expressed commitment to helping members secure it.