📣 What do we want? Fair contract! When do we want it? NOW! Rockford EA members rallied to demand a contract that truly values educators and students. Nearly 70% of REA members have considered leaving the district for another job because of low wages, a lack of respect and an increasing workload.

Students cannot learn when they are afraid for their safety or the safety of their families, friends, and educators. Tell Congress to keep ICE out of schools, churches, and hospitals. 👉 https://bit.ly/49pXHQU

Every time you speak at a board meeting on behalf of our colleagues or students, every time you join a walk-in and every time you take action to support strong working conditions, we are building power. Together we are IEA and United We Win!

Our legislation to Undo Tier 2 took a big step forward during Veto Session. IEA members took action alongside other public workers to fill out 9,000+ witness slips & SB1937 passed out of committee! In order to officially #UndoTier2 we need your continued support. The fight continues!

"The union has helped me to find my voice, and so I don't have a fear of speaking up, especially through an equity lens." In their own words, NEA members share why they are thankful for the work and support of the NEA, our state affiliates and our local associations. #UnionStrong

BREAKING: The IEA Board of Directors has elected Gladys Márquez as Secretary Treasurer of the IEA! 🎉 Gladys is a veteran educator and nationally recognized advocate for immigrant rights and public education. Press release: ieanea.org/2025/12/08/i...

It’s not too late to register for the Ethnic Minority Emerging Leadership Training! Tag somebody who needs to join you in Springfield on Nov. 7-9. Register before Oct. 31: bit.ly/3XNYvIh

For Know Your Rights information in multiple languages, visit: www.illinoisimmigrationinfo.org/know-your-rights

Statement from IEA President Al Llorens on educators' use of social media:

#RedForEd Fair contract for RFEA! "'Fair wage is not just a matter of money, it's a matter of respect,’ one woman said. 'Let's work together to ensure that our teachers stay right here.’”

Hunger is one of the biggest barriers to learning. Yet Trump’s tax bill puts 18M kids at risk of losing school meals. Read @neapresident.bsky.social Becky Pringle's TIME op-ed on why America must choose to feed its students ⬇️ https://time.com/7308619/trump-starve-public-schools/

‪@texastribune.org‬ and @propublica.org‬ found 60+ cases of nepotism & self-dealing at private schools. Now those same schools could get taxpayer dollars through vouchers. https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-vouchers-private-schools-conflicts/

United we WIN! Whether you are new to organizing or want to brush up on the basics, join the IEA Organizing department for a training Aug. 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event...

Solidarity with NUEA! Press release: ieanea.link/NUEAReachTA

With more than 100 unfilled para positions in U-46, admin is attempting to fill positions w/ a staffing agency. Why? Unfair pay & lack of respect. U-46 wages are not competitive with neighboring districts, including D300 & St. Charles. DUEA members packed the board meeting to demand real solutions.

Deadline approaching ⏰ IEA is launching a new leadership development retreat centered on the impacts of systemic racism, abolitionist teaching & culturally responsive classroom strategies. Join the Loveworks Joy & Justice retreat Oct. 10-12 in Springfield. Apply by Aug. 22: bit.ly/45pSuoK

What’s the best advice you can give a new educator? Join your union! LEAD300 welcomed new hires and signed up new members at the D300 orientation meeting. Great work LEAD300!

#LaborDay is one of our favorite holidays. Leading up to Sept. 1, we’re sharing union wins. Members with Wood River EA signed an MOU with the district that gave ESPs a mid-year 26% raise and certified staff a 1% raise. This would not have been possible without ESP and certified staff solidarity.

Strong unions = strong public schools. Visit join.ieanea.org

Trump’s decision to cancel millions in federal grants (many already awarded) undermines higher education and silences critical research. Learn what’s at stake and how these cuts are affecting campuses across the country: bit.ly/44M7eOt

The Trump administration is trying to divide us, but we know the power of coming together. IEA is proud to support the #GoodTroubleLivesOn day of action on July 17. Find an event near you: goodtroubleliveson.org/#attend Let us know if you plan to attend! Email [email protected]

Withholding billions in promised federal education funding that students need—and states had planned to use to support children in their states—is a cruel betrayal of students, especially those who rely on critical support services.

BIG NEWS 🎉 IEA member Bill Farmer has been elected to the NEA Executive Committee! Congratulations, Bill Farmer!!!

Ready to represent @ieanea.bsky.social at the @neatoday.bsky.social Representative Assembly!

80% of IL public schools are underfunded, yet the Trump administration is taking more than $200 million from our state and $6.8 billion away from students nationally. Every student deserves access to a high-quality public education. We will continue to advocate for fully funded public schools in IL.

Nearly 40% of students in Illinois get healthcare through Medicaid/CHIP. Tell senators: all kids deserve access to medical care! SAVE Medicaid!

#RedForEd Nonrenewal shouldn't come with noncommunication. Thank you to student journalists who covered the recent educator dismissals and budget mismanagement in District 7. Solidarity with Edwardsville Education Association (EEA)!

The Trump Administration wants to gut public services that students, educators and working families need to survive. Our union is not going to stand for it.

"...at least $880 billion in cuts largely to Medicaid to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks." They are literally taking healthcare away from children in order to enrich their billionaire friends.

Back by popular demand! IEA Teaching and Learning is hosting a summer virtual book studies from June 15-July 26. Up to 20 PDHs per book. Choose from three collective themes: student wellness, educator wellness and justice and equity. ➡️ ieanea.link/IEAbookstudy-TAL2025

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Check out educator resources from NEA for celebrating AANHPI heritage, history and leaders in your classroom. bit.ly/44suhgP

Spring Session ends May 31, which means the Illinois Legislature has just over ONE MONTH to #UndoTier2. We are joining the We Are One Illinois coalition for a week of action, April 29-May 1, to contact our lawmakers and demand a fair retirement for all educators and public workers. #Tier2Tuesday

“If you’re paying a lot more than what your pension is returning, that’s not an incentive to stay.” - IEA President Al Llorens #Tier2Tuesday

‼️ Congress will be home to hear from constituents during the April 11-25 recess. This is a critical window to demand their attention. Educators can raise visibility on how our students will be negatively impacted by federal funding cuts, including Medicaid, Title I & IDEA. Visit bit.ly/4ienPiy

Equity delayed is justice denied. The time for equitable education is now. Join The Opportunity Coalition on Thursday, April 17 at 5:30pm! RSVP ⬇️

Despite Trump and Musk’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Public Education, our polling shows public schools remain a top priority for Illinoisans. 71% of Illinois residents believe we should be investing MORE in our public schools— not less.

We are suing Linda McMahon and the U.S. Dept. of Education. Recent cuts to the Education Department’s workforce and programs are unacceptable and illegal. Our students deserve better. bit.ly/41VsQqp

Tenured & tenured-track faculty at Illinois State University are engaged in a first contract fight. They recently organized as United Faculty ISU. The Board of Trustees has hired a union-busting firm (~$500,000) to thwart their campaign for better working conditions. Send a letter to the board:

“‘It’s time to quit treating education as a business. It’s not a business,’ [IEA member Amy] Ellis said. ‘Our bottom line (is) kids and making them be successful, thriving adults. We can’t do that if you’re undercutting everything that we’re doing.’”

Educators with 205 Faculty Association held a solidarity rally to support public ed. FA 205, USS 205, Region 27 leaders & surrounding unions showed up for students! 🚨 Text PROTECT to 48744 to be connected with your congressperson. Tell them to STOP the destruction of the U.S. Department of Ed.

☀️ Coal City Education Association was up bright and early this morning to join the national walk-in to support students and public education!

The three Evanston Township High School locals, ETHS Teachers' Council, ETHS Support Systems and ETHS Student Welfare, STAND UP FOR STUDENTS AND PUBLIC ED!!! 📣 📣 📣 Join them in taking action today! Text PROTECT to 48744.

IEA is joining the National Walk-In Day on March 19, the day our elected leaders return from Washington DC to their home districts. This is our opportunity to remind them that their decisions in Washington matter here at home. Learn more and host your own event: bit.ly/IEANEAMarch1...

Check all that apply: [ ] I'm an educator or staff member in an IL public school [ ] I know an educator or staff member in an IL public school [ ] I believe educators deserve to retire with dignity If you checked YES to any of the above, sign our petition to #UndoTier2! bit.ly/UndoTier2petition

New playlist for Spring Session just dropped! What song would you add? 🎶 #Tier2Tuesday

Take action for ESPs! Education Support Professionals need protections against third-party contracting. Fill out a witness slip as a proponent of SB 1799 before TOMORROW at 11 a.m.: ieanea.link/SB1799_Insta...

Public education is under attack, but real stories from our members that can help push back against dangerous federal policies. Share your story on how your students and your public school are being impacted by threats to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education: ieanea.link/DepartmentOfEdStory

GOOD NEWS! If you were impacted by GPO/WEP, you could start seeing payments as early as this week. The SSA is starting retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by GPO/WEP. NEA’s FAQ page: www.nea.org/resource-lib...

It’s time to build power! Hone your organizing skills at our virtual training this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. RSVP:

We’re continuing to advocate for members during Personnel & Pensions committee hearings. We will need YOUR voice during the Spring Session. #Tier2Tuesday. SIGN OUR PETITION: bit.ly/UndoTier2petition. If you've already signed, reshare and encourage others to sign!