Mayor Brandon Johnson Has Been On ‘Union Leave’ From CPS Since 2011. Should He Resign His Teaching Job?
Johnson Could Earn Over $100,000 Upon CPS Return
Mayor Brandon Johnson taught for four years at Chicago Public Schools before going on leave in 2011 to work for the Chicago Teachers Union and ultimately launch a career in politics. But even though he no longer works for the union, Johnson remains on “union leave” from the school district.
That means, after all these years, he could return to the classroom — and earn a six-figure salary as if he never left. If Johnson went back after his first term in office, in 2027, he would be considered a 20th-year teacher, even though he taught for just four years before his 2011 departure. These details were not mentioned in Felton’s memo.
That means, according to the current CTU contract, that Johnson could earn at least $100,419 upon his return. That figure is the base salary for a minimum 208-day schedule and doesn’t include other benefits. It does not account for raises or changes to salary brackets that could change in the next contract.
Concerns About Conflict of Interest
The mayor’s leave status has attracted more scrutiny and concerns about a potential conflict of interest in recent weeks, as his administration negotiates a contract with the CTU that could benefit him in the future. Those negotiations have become increasingly tense and have fueled a monthslong leadership shakeup at CPS, including the recent firing of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez.
Under CPS policy, Johnson — or any CPS employee who leaves to work for the union — can accrue seniority during their time away and return to CPS with the guarantee of a job. In an interview with Chalkbeat on Tuesday, the mayor said he hasn’t thought about what he would do after his time in office but said teaching middle school “is still the best job I’ve ever had.” He denied that his union leave status represents a conflict of interest, because he’s not currently earning a CPS paycheck.
Experts Weigh In
Dick Simpson, professor of political science at University of Illinois at Chicago and a former alderman, said no mayor in recent history has been in Johnson’s position. But he said the economic benefit to the mayor “is not substantial enough” to be deemed a conflict of interest.
Vladimir Kogan, professor of political science at Ohio State University who has studied local politics and education policy, said it’s unclear whether the mayor’s employment status and his official position cross legal lines. “If he has no plans to go back, he should easily resign” from CPS, Kogan said. “I think this is a problem of his own creation.”
Conclusion
The mayor’s employment status has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest, and experts are divided on whether he should resign his teaching job. While some argue that the economic benefit to the mayor is not substantial enough to be deemed a conflict of interest, others believe that his position as the most powerful elected official in the city makes it intimidating for members of his own administration to take action without his consent.
FAQs
Q: Why is Mayor Brandon Johnson still on “union leave” from CPS?
A: Johnson went on leave in 2011 to work for the Chicago Teachers Union and has remained on leave since then.
Q: What are the benefits of being on union leave?
A: As a CPS employee on union leave, Johnson can accrue seniority and return to CPS with the guarantee of a job.
Q: Could Johnson earn a six-figure salary if he returns to CPS?
A: Yes, according to the current CTU contract, Johnson could earn at least $100,419 upon his return.
Q: Is there a conflict of interest in the mayor’s employment status?
A: Some experts believe that there is a potential conflict of interest, while others argue that the economic benefit to the mayor is not substantial enough to be deemed a conflict of interest.
