Educators, unions, and now even now legislators are plainly saying, "We have to tax the ultra-rich" in order to deliver on the promises made to our students and families. It's not a radical idea: it's responsible governing.

Don't procrastinate! There is still plenty of time for high school seniors to apply for IFT scholarships.  ✅ Carl J. Megel Special Education Scholarship 📆 Apply by Feb. 28 ✅ Robert G. Porter Scholarship 📆 Apply by Mar. 6 ℹ️ Eligibility & application: https://www.ift-aft.org/scholarships

This is what we're talking about! 😍 Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is pushing for a new tax on millionaires as the General Assembly gets ready to return to work in Springfield next week.

Education was central to Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of a just, more inclusive democracy. Ahead of MLK Day, check out @sharemylesson.bsky.social's free lessons and activities exploring King's life, legacy and lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement ⤵️ sharemylesson.com/collections/...

In Peoria, IL, career and technical education opened the door to a real future in the trades. Through hands-on learning, certifications, and a paid internship, a student found her path before graduation. #PublicSchoolProud @iftaft.bsky.social www.peoriapublicschools.org/article/2545...

Trump's latest attack on Illinois is leaving 100,000 families (including 150,000 children) without the critical support they need. This isn't a one-off - it has become a pattern. https://www.ift-aft.org/post/federal-funding-freezes-are-harming-il-workers-families-public-institutions

MISSING PERSON - PLEASE SHARE  Linda Kathleen Brown, 53, was last seen on January 3rd leaving her car. She was headed to Wicker Park for an appointment but never arrived. If you have any information, please call 773-444-8243.

Yesterday, federal immigration agents took the life of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota. This horrifying reality is a devastating reminder of what happens when enforcement is allowed to escalate without oversight, accountability, or restraint.

IFT & CTU President Stacy Davis Gates on Trump’s Decision to Freeze Over $10 Billion in Childcare and Family Assistance Funds  https://www.ift-aft.org/post/ift-ctu-president-davis-gates-on-trump-s-decision-to-freeze-over-10-billion-in-childcare-family

📣 ISU student support workers file to unionize Despite their critical contributions to student success, these professionals are underpaid, overworked, and feel disrespected by the university administration.

🚨 Last chance to register for our Administrator Academy Initial Teacher Evaluation Training course!

📆 Mark your calendars: Join IFT members across the state this Friday, Jan. 9 in standing up for full funding.  We're taking action every month to tell lawmakers and Gov. Pritzker that we CAN have thriving schools and communities if we raise revenue by taxing the ultra-wealthy.

📣 Start the new year off right with IFT's new professional development opportunities! 👀 Boost your union and professional expertise through hands-on, interactive training designed for both new and seasoned leaders.

In Peoria, IL, music teacher Tyler Bishop turned a classroom joke into a holiday song. His students inspired “6-7 Christmas,” an original track he wrote, arranged, & produced — seeing their excitement has been the best part. @iftaft.bsky.social 🎶 www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5N9... #PublicSchoolProud

Putting people over profits means:   ✅ Smaller classes and more resources in K12 schools  ✅ Affordable higher education tuition  ✅ Public worker pensions honored  ✅ Safe, strong communities  It all starts with revenue from finally taxing the ultra wealthy and corporations.

Reminder: You can't pour from an empty cup. Spend some time to taking care of YOU on winter break so you can come back to your school or workplace feeling energized and refreshed.  What’s your favorite winter self-care ritual? Drop it in the comments!

2025 proved our power. Across Illinois, IFT members stood shoulder to shoulder with our union siblings—pushing back against injustice and fighting for our schools, campuses, public services, and communities.  2026 will demand even more—and we’ll be ready. Because when we stand together, we win.

When you shop union-made, you’re investing in fair wages, safe working conditions, and strong communities. If you still have holiday shopping to do, look no further than these union-made companies.  ✊🎁

IFT & CTU President Stacy Davis Gates Responds as Trump’s Department of Education Deals Another Attack to Our Kids and Communities 🔗https://www.ift-aft.org/post/ift-ctu-president-stacy-davis-gates-responds-as-trump-s-department-of-education-deals-another-atta

@nyspef.bsky.social leader and nurse practitioner Amy Pacholk shares why the proposal to deprofessionalize advanced degrees like nursing, education, social work and more is a disrespect to those who serve our communities and puts even greater financial burdens on these workers. Watch ⤵️

Winter break is a great time to encourage high school students to apply for scholarships!

AFT wants to hear from you! Workers are being crushed by the soaring costs of basic necessities—housing, healthcare, child care, college, even the cost of keeping up with credit cards or medical bills.

Lifting up these amazing students who are taking action to protect and help their friends and neighbors. ❤️ Immigrants in our communities are facing uncertainty and fear right now, and it’s on all of us to show compassion and solidarity.

In today’s world, fostering connection and belonging is essential to mental wellness—at work, in schools and in our communities. ⬇️

As A.I. content increases, media literacy matters more than ever. This article explores practical ways to navigate today’s attention economy by teaching digital literacy and critical thinking skills.

📣 IFT MEMBERS LIVING IN CHICAGO: TAKE ACTION NOW! 📣 It’s time to make Chicago MORE affordable, not less. And to do so, we must demand that City Council tax the ultra-rich, not working families.

A recent report warns that proposed federal cuts could shrink Illinois’ economy by $10 billion each year through 2029.

Democrats are comfortable fighting Trump, but to change the country we need to do more than critique; Americans want solutions & there’s lots of room to work on economic pathways to success and creating opportunity for all. Thanks @DashaBurns for the conversation. www.politico.com/video/2025/1...

Attendance dipped during immigration sweeps, yet families and educators fought back with creativity and courage. Chicago communities mobilized to protect students' right to learn—creating safe routes and support networks. A powerful reminder: collective care matters.

Our students "are doing the best to grow up and learn in a world that is not always kind to them." Listen to Lake County Federation of Teachers Member Laura Bohorquez on her students' dreams and what they deserve.

This week, we're inviting our locals across the state to participate in days of action and solidarity to communicate that our schools and services need funding, not cuts.  Tag us if your local, council, or chapter is participating!

Is your local joining this week’s actions? Show that your union is standing in solidarity with our fight for state funding. Now more than ever, we need sustainable revenue to keep schools and state services staffed and well-resourced.

This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the strength and solidarity of our union in the fight for a better future. Tell lawmakers what our families and communities deserve: strong schools, affordable higher education, and efficient state services.  📝 https://bit.ly/3JuatUh

Today we give thanks for our members, whose hard work sustains our communities, and whose participation in their union allows our movement to grow as we advocate for our students, our workplaces, and our democracy.

Illinois can’t thrive without strong schools and communities. Next week, we’re calling on our members in locals around the state to show solidarity in demanding sustainable revenue.

Colleges and universities are places of possibility, where big ideas get tested, diseases are cured, new technologies are invented, and students have an opportunity to learn and develop new skills. ⬇️

Today’s state budget and tax policies demonstrate that lawmakers don’t value public education. We need a smarter, fairer approach to fully fund our schools.

Join us in congratulating Harlem Federation of Teachers member Erikka Coletta, honored as Illinois Ag in the Classroom's 2026 Teacher of the Year! https://www.farmweeknow.com/general/iaitc-names-2026-teacher-administrator-of-the-year/article_8004f725-04a3-41a5-8662-c9c89938029e.html

The Joliet Township High School Paraprofessional Council (AFT Local 604) ratified their tentative agreement this week after five months of bargaining and filing intent to strike paperwork last month.

UPI to Governor: Stop Touting Enrollment and Start Funding Higher Education. 📰 Read the full statement from IFT Membership Secretary and University Professional of Illinois President John Miller: https://www.ift-aft.org/post/upi-to-governor-stop-touting-enrollment-and-start-funding-higher-education

Today we honor the lives of transgender people lost to violence and hate. Our union fights for inclusive schools, safe workplaces, and policies that protect and affirm EVERY member of our community. Trans workers deserve to live without fear.

PSRPs are essential—and it’s time their pay reflects that. Our union has committed to advocating for a $22/hour minimum starting wage and universal wage bargaining for PSRPs across Illinois.

Today is PSRP Day, and we are proud to honor the incredible Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel who keep our schools running and our students thriving.

Statement from CTU and IFT President Stacy Davis Gates on Trump’s Decision to Dismantle the Federal Department of Education https://www.ift-aft.org/post/statement-from-ctu-and-ift-president-stacy-davis-gates-on-trump-s-decision-to-dismantle-the-federal

At our 2025 Convention, @ctulocal1.bsky.social member Christel Williams was recognized for being a trailblazer in our movement.

Did you know that Illinois funds only 24% of K-12 education from the state budget? That means local property taxes are doing the heavy lifting.  And Illinois schools are still billions short of what they need, with working families paying the price.

Illinois higher education has been running on 2002-level funding for decades. That’s not sustainable, and new revenue solutions are needed now. Regional universities fuel first-generation success and local economies—but they can't do that when they're starved for funding.

PSRP Day is Wednesday, but we’re kicking off the week with a shoutout to our newly-organized PSRP group in Pittsfield Illinois, the Pikeland Support Staff Association! These new members wanted a voice at their job and a path to better compensation.

What's a PSRP? Their roles may not always be in the spotlight, but their impact is everywhere. Schools cannot thrive without these dedicated professionals, whose work touches every part of the school day.

Congratulations to IFT and CTU President Stacy Davis Gates on being sworn in to the IL AFL-CIO Executive Board! Our solidarity makes us stronger, and together, we'll keep building toward a future where every worker thrives.