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Illinois teachers union boss Stacy Davis Gates gets major pay bump as state reading scores lag
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.
In short
- 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.