Dive Summary:
- September's teachers strike in Chicago put the spotlight on a strained relationship between Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat, and the Chicago Teachers Union.
- Across the U.S., teachers unions have given $1.23 million to Republican state candidates this year, according to data from the National Institute on Money in State Politics.
- Democratic candidates still receive far more funding from teachers unions, but the percentage of their dollars going to Republicans is the highest it has been since 2004.
From the article:
"... In Illinois, the top three recipients of political contributions from the Illinois Education Association this year are Republicans, including a candidate for the State House who has Tea Party support and advocates lower taxes and smaller government.
William Seitz, a prominent Republican state senator in Ohio who is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative business-backed group, has received more money this year from the Ohio Education Association than any other donor. ..."