# Illinois teachers union boss Stacy Davis Gates gets major pay bump as state reading scores lag

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/illinois-teachers-union-boss-stacy-davis-gates-gets-major-pay-bump-as-state-reading-scores-lag/
- Published: 2026-11-04T00:44:07+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T07:42:31+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/media/illinois-teachers-union-boss-stacy-davis-gates-gets-major-pay-bump-state-reading-scores-lag
- Topics: Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Stacy Davis Gates’ reported IFT pay rose by $70,000 a year.
- Her two union roles bring reported annual pay to about $445,000.
- Illinois and Chicago reading scores remain low.

## Summary

The Illinois Federation of Teachers’ executive board approved a reported $70,000 annual raise for its president, Stacy Davis Gates, lifting her pay for that role from $180,000 to $250,000. The increase has drawn criticism because Illinois students continue to score below reading proficiency benchmarks, prompting questions about union leaders’ pay and priorities.

Davis Gates also earns just under $195,000 as president of the Chicago Teachers Union, bringing her reported combined annual compensation to about $445,000. In 2024, 30% of Illinois fourth graders and 33% of eighth graders reached the NAEP proficient level in reading; in Chicago, the figures were 23% for fourth graders. The unions and Davis Gates did not respond to requests for comment, according to the article.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.