•And a special serving of blame for Democrats up and down the ballot — some of whom were recruited, supported and financed by the CTU — who claim to be "progressive" but have ignored a property tax-reliant funding system that short-changes kids based on their ZIP codes. Over the past 20 years, CTU spent more than $16 million helping these politicians win seats. That is, teachers union leaders have poured mega resources into maintaining the dismal status quo — which includes a terrible shortfall in the union members' pension fund.