That money was “put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting,” Vought said.

CTU doubled its political spending in 2025, reaching a new high. Less than 18% of CTU’s spending was on representing teachers – what should be its core focus. Union president Stacy Davis Gates gave herself a raise, bringing her total compensation to more than $273,000.Questionable spending included over $173,000 to a “recording studio” in New Mexico.

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, a leading supporter of Illinois’ cashless bail law, took the unusual step Thursday of warning court employees about two men accused in downtown “Loop Puncher” attacks—even as the bail system he helped create prevents one of those men from being detained.