Chicago Teachers Union moves to establish an Independent Political Organization.

Resolution for the Chicago Teachers Union to Launch an Independent Political Organziation (IPO)

Whereas, the Chicago Teachers Union hopes to transform the traditional means of engaging in politics and legislative activities in Chicago and Illinois to engender authentic political engagement to amplify the voice and representation of working and poor people in politics and legislative process, and

Whereas, Mayor Emanuel and his allies have supported massive school closings, drastically reduced school funding, increased racial and economic inequality throughout Chicago, advocated for mandatory minimums that will lead to increased incarceration of Black and Latino youth, privatized essential services, and balanced budgets on the backs of the most vulnerable, and

Whereas, we can engage with other likeminded progressive organizations to push for immediate changes to address the real time needs of working and poor communities in Chicago through legislative and electoral engagement in City Hall and the Illinois General Assembly, and

Whereas, we must reinvigorate the average citizen to remind our elected representatives that they are beholden to their constituencies and the needs of the wards and districts they represent, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Chicago Teachers Union along with key allies in the progressive labor movement and amongst community organizations will launch an independent political organization (IPO) that is capable of leading strong electoral and legislative campaigns to benefit working families, our active and retired members, and our communities, and be it further

Resolved, that the IPO will enable a broad multitude of diverse organizations to establish a pipeline for candidate development to identify and train people who are part of our movements to become elected officialsp and that such people are dedicated to our shared vision, will fully support campaigns that advocate for our needs, and will be held accountable to the people who helped put them in office, and be it finally

Resolved, that the IPO will engage in year round community outreach and campaign to build public support for our platform and political objectives, not just during the election season; and the IPO’s goal is to develop, elect and support candidates to be advocates for those objectives, not just to become members of elective office.