The REA has two听pending听grievances against the district. The first听regarding classroom conditions听and overcrowding听for dual language learners. The second focuses on听compensation issues听for听educators听with听larger听class sizes.听The听REA is now filing a ULP听in regard to听the听first听grievance.听And,听Tuesday听night, the听REA executive committee voted to听send the听second听grievance to听arbitration.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 happening here is just wrong. Our students deserve better than this. There鈥檚 a law听in a place for a reason. It鈥檚 to make sure all our students, no matter the color of their skin or what language they speak, have equitable learning conditions and the same access to the high-quality education their peers are receiving,鈥� REA President Claudia Marshall said.

State听law requires districts听to听maintain听bilingual class听sizes that are no more than听90% of the average size of the monolingual class听sizes for each building grade level.

鈥淚t鈥檚听really crazy听that we听have to听go to these lengths to get the school district to support all our students, as they鈥檙e required to do by law.听On top of that, they鈥檙e violating our new contract they just agreed to a month ago. The ink isn鈥檛 even dry on this thing,听and they鈥檙e already blatantly ignoring it,鈥� Marshall said.听鈥淭hey鈥檙e telling the community they don鈥檛 care about听our Hispanic students;听they don鈥檛 care about our parents and community members;听and they certainly don鈥檛 care about our teachers.鈥�

REA鈥檚 contract language states听bilingual classroom teachers should be paid based on the number of students assigned to their classrooms. However, the district is attempting to pay educators based on student attendance.

鈥淥ur teachers are preparing听their lessons for the number of students in their class, not the number of students that show up that day.听Regardless of how many students are sick, our educators are still doing the work to make sure all students are accounted for.听Their pay shouldn鈥檛 be docked because a student is sick.听In fact, it鈥檚 actually more work when a student is absent because the teacher then has to make sure that student gets caught up,鈥� Marshall said.

REA represents nearly 2,000 teachers, social workers, counselors, speech pathologists, nurses, psychologists and other licensed staff working and supporting nearly 28,000 students in听RPS.

The ULP will be filed with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) this week.听More details will be forthcoming.

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The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

鈥淭he Unemployment Equity Act is about fairness and justice for all workers by ending the practice of treating one class of workers as less deserving,鈥� said听Pat Devaney, Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO.听鈥淭hese non-instructional workers are on the front lines every day鈥攇etting our kids to school, making sure they have a hot meal at lunch, and keeping classrooms clean and safe. Yet each summer, they are forced to scrape together pennies to get by because they don鈥檛 have the unemployment insurance safety net like other workers who are out of work through no fault of their own.鈥�

Hundreds of members and leaders of the Illinois AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 31, 黑料视频, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Chicago Teachers Union 1 and SEIU Local 73, rallied in support of the legislation earlier today.

鈥淥ur thanks to Representative Evans and Senator Villivilam for their leadership on this important legislation,鈥� said Dian Palmer, President of SEIU Local 73.听鈥淎s the union representing more than 15,000 school support staff workers in Chicago and throughout Illinois, this bill is critical to the wellbeing of our members and their families.鈥�

Every summer, thousands of support staff in Illinois public schools and universities are left without a paycheck and access to unemployment insurance. Providing unemployment during the summer months to these employees creates parity with workers doing the exact same work in the private sector.

鈥淪upport staff are the backbones of our schools, often overlooked, but always providing stability. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. It is time to treat them fairly and equitably by allowing them access to unemployment benefits in the summer months,鈥� said Karl Goeke, President of the 黑料视频. 鈥淵ear-round pay allows support staff to return to their same schools and students every year. Having a stable workforce in schools helps students perform better, preserves institutional knowledge, builds stronger relationships and better schools.鈥�

Support staff eligible include school bus drivers, special education classroom assistants, paraprofessionals, lunchroom workers, security guards, janitors, crossing guards and all others in a supportive role in our public schools and universities.

“Our work is essential, and we deserve basic support. Yet while we are scraping together pennies to survive, billionaires in this state are using their untaxed wealth to buy influence and shape our elections,鈥� remarked Megan Accardo, a paraprofessional and member of Grayslake Federation of Paraprofessionals and School Personnel, IFT Local 504.听鈥淭hat is not just unfair, that is a system out of balance. We are the backbone of our schools, but we are treated like we are disposable. Summer is not a break for us, it’s a financial crisis. The system has decided that the people who hold our schools together don鈥檛 deserve stability.”

These predominantly Black, Latine, and women workers are among the lowest paid in Illinois鈥� public education system and, unlike almost any other worker in the state, are not covered under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act.

鈥淓ducational support staff make our schools and universities work, but for too long, they鈥檝e been expected to get by without income for the entire summer,鈥� said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. 鈥淏y allowing support staff access to the same unemployment benefits that other seasonal workers receive, we can build stronger schools and universities, stabilize the education workforce, and show support staff that their dedication and hard work is valued.鈥�

The legislation will now head to the House for a full vote.

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

Weaver, who also spent 30 years as a teacher in the Harvey school system, was the first Black person to be elected president of the IEA. After his tenure at IEA, he went on to become the president of the National Education Association, from 2002 to 2008, and later went on to serve in the leadership of Education International, an organization representing 29 million teachers and education workers in 169 countries.

He was committed to the idea that every child deserves to go to a great public school. Weaver told the Chicago Tribune in 2002: 鈥淢y vision is that we work for schools where children are able to go free of harassment, intimidation and have an atmosphere conducive to good teaching and learning.鈥�

鈥淩eg was a pioneer in many ways. He led the way for people of color to see themselves in leadership at the state and national level. He was a mentor to so many state and national leaders. He created pathways to leadership and made room for folx when they arrived. He was kind, generous, and humorous. He always had a story to tell with a light in his eyes. He made people feel welcome, supported and valued,鈥� said Karl Goeke, current president of the IEA.

He was born in Danville and graduated from Danville High School. He earned a degree in special education from Illinois State University in 1961 and a master鈥檚 degree from Roosevelt University in 1971. He has received honorary degrees from numerous universities across the country.

In 1973, Weaver first ran for president of IEA and lost. After that, he built a minority caucus in an effort to increase the number of people of color who attended the union鈥檚 Representative Assembly and whose decisions guided the path for the organization. He was able to organize that group and build coalitions between groups to help build power within the IEA.

In 1978, former Gov. Jim Thompson was elected head of the state. The IEA was the only union to back the Republican candidate. He credited IEA with pushing him to the win. As a result, he said, he would support the passage of collective bargaining for educators and did, signing the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act in 1984.

Weaver served as president of the Harvey Education Association from 1967-71, as an IEA board member from 1971-77, as IEA vice president from 1977-81, as IEA president 1981-1987, on the NEA executive committee 1989-95, NEA vice president 1996-2002 and as NEA president 2002-08.

He was the winner of the IEA-NEA Human Relations Award, which is now known as the Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award.

When he completed his final term as the NEA president in 2008, NEA Vice President Dennis Van Roekel said the following, 鈥淭hank you, Reg, for being the right man, in the right job, at the right time.鈥�

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The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

鈥淎t a moment when public education is under coordinated attack across this country, Illinois should be leading with clarity, not confusion.

Governors鈥搃ncluding Democrats like Andy Beshear in Kentucky鈥攈ave made it plain: public dollars belong in public schools. Here in Illinois, where more than 90 percent of our students attend public schools, that principle should not be up for debate.

And yet, instead of fighting forward for our state鈥檚 public schools and the students who attend them, we are seeing hesitation from Governor Pritzker and active support from Comptroller Susana Mendoza for a Trump-backed federal tax credit scheme that opens the door to privatization, taxpayer-funded discrimination, and a race to the bottom in educating our young people.鈥疻e call on Governor Pritzker to do the right thing here: Denounce this voucher scheme. Stand tall for public schools.

Let鈥檚 call this what it is: a resurrected school voucher program backed by and for the ultra-wealthy. It is unregulated, unaccountable, and designed to divert resources away from the schools that serve the overwhelming majority of Illinois students and into private institutions that are not required to serve every child.

At a time when our state should be strengthening its commitment to public education and working to fund the more than $5 billion our students are owed, Comptroller Mendoza鈥檚 position would align Illinois with the White House鈥檚 agenda that has consistently sought to dismantle it.

We do not have to guess what the consequences look like. Illinois educators, parents and voters have rejected vouchers before because we already witnessed how they siphon money out of public schools. We鈥檝e seen how vouchers subsidize unregulated and unaccountable private schools that don鈥檛 hold the same responsibilities to rural students who need bus routes, let alone students with disabilities or English language learners who need specific supports. We understand what is at stake. This scheme from Washington is no different. It is a threat to the stability, equity and future of our public education system.

That鈥檚 why educators, parents and community members across Illinois have been fighting for full funding for our public schools鈥攑laces where the needs of students and their families are met, and where parents and communities lead the way, not billionaires.

The path forward is not complicated: fully fund every level of our public schools, invest in the students we serve, and reject any policy鈥攕tate or federal鈥攖hat undermines the foundation of public education.鈥�

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The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The awards were presented during the IEA Representative Assembly (RA). The RA is the legislative body of the IEA and听setsthe听agenda for the year for the听state鈥檚 largest union. There are 1,200 IEA delegates,听guests听and state dignitaries who attend the RA.听

The 2026 award winners are:听听

President鈥檚 Award听鈥� Princess R. Moss, NEA vice president听

Princess R. Moss, an elementary school music teacher from Louisa County, Va., is vice president of the National Education Association. As the daughter of two school bus drivers who instilled within her the core beliefs of courage,听honesty听and the value of getting a good education, Moss is an unwavering champion of children and strong public schools. She is a staunch, outspoken ally of students, educators and families who听represent听communities that have been historically marginalized. These include Black,听Brown听and indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ communities, students with disabilities and those who move through the world听representing听the ways in which these communities intersect. Moss believes every child and every student 鈥攏o matter their parents鈥� incomes, where they live, the language they speak at home, their race, religion, ethnicity, gender identification, or physical capabilities鈥攄eserves to attend a great public school. She believes in using every available tool to protect the rights of students and educators and protect public education.听

Friend of Education Award –听Delia Ramirez, U.S.听Representative for Illinois’s 3rd听Congressional听District听

U.S. Rep.听Delia Ramirez is a dedicated public servant and lifelong advocate for working families,听education听and equity. Born and raised in Chicago to immigrant parents, she has devoted her career to uplifting underrepresented communities. Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Ramirez served in the Illinois General Assembly, where she championed affordable housing, healthcare听access听and education equity. As a state听representative听she led the passage of HB 2908 to听establish听an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools, responding to long-standing community demands. She also sponsored bills to increase funding for K-12 education, protect bilingual and immigrant students, and support educators’ voices in decision-making. As the first Latina elected to听represent听Illinois in Congress, she听maintains听her unwavering commitment to justice,听opportunity听and inclusive public policy. She has听convened听oversight hearings focused on the effects of federal policy cuts on students and teachers,听demonstrating听her ongoing dedication to public education. Ramirez is a fierce advocate for safety for all students and demanding ICE听get听out of our public schools. When one of her constituents, 14-year-old Steven, and his father were taken by ICE,听She听worked tirelessly with his family and the Hadley School community to help secure his release. Ramirez has been a true champion for the Latino community, as well as all students and educators. She is on the frontlines advocating for meaningful policies that ensure all communities are seen,听heard听and supported.听

Friend of Education – Bob Bruno,听professor听and director of the labor education program at the University of Illinois, Glen Ellyn District 41 school board president听

Bob Bruno is a fierce advocate and educator鈥搘ith a passion for unionism that is unmatched. As the director of the labor education program, professor of labor and employment and director of the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois, one might say Bruno is a labor expert. As a Glen Ellyn District 41 school board member and current president, he has supported countless initiatives, overseen two successful referendum and听building听projects, navigated the ousting of a beloved superintendent and has stood up to a toxic school board to help build an environment of collegiality,听collaboration听and compassion.听Perhaps most听notable is Bruno鈥檚 advocacy on behalf of a student and parent who were detained by ICE. The student, Steven, is autistic. The stress from being separated from his mother, his听home听and his school severely听impacted听his mental health and Steven became sick and stopped eating.听Bruno did not hesitate to take action.听He and his wife paid for two of Steven’s teachers to join him at the Dilley Detention Center in San Antonio so they could visit with Steven. One teacher shared how she believes the visit could have saved his life. Thanks to advocacy from Bruno, Steven鈥檚 teachers, the Hadley School community and Rep. Delia Ramirez, Steven and his father were released and reunited with their family on March 3. Bruno鈥檚 advocacy is rooted in the belief that no student should be forgotten, regardless of their status or the barriers placed in their way. He has made a profound impact in his school community; his contributions to the labor movement and commitment to safety for all students make him an outstanding candidate for this honor.听

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The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The awards were presented during the IEA Representative Assembly (RA). The RA is the legislative body of the IEA and helps the state鈥檚 largest union set its agenda for the year. There are 1,200 IEA delegates,听guests听and state dignitaries who attend the RA.

The IEA award recipients were nominated and chosen for their awards by their peers.

The 2026 IEA RA award winners are:

Bob Haisman Early Career Teacher of the Year Award听鈥� Gianna Miritello (special education听teacher,鈥� A.E.R.O.听Education Association, A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative, Region 28)听

While Gianna Miritello may be at the beginning of her career, she is already viewed as a leader. As the membership chair of her local, Miritello is one of the first union contacts for new employees. When new members arrive, she is someone who will go out of her way to give a tour or invite a member to observe one of her lessons. She is warm, welcoming and provides endless encouragement to her peers. As a junior high multi-needs teacher, Miritello鈥檚 knowledge of special-needs education is on display every day. Working with students with low-incidence disabilities, complex medical and physical needs and cognitive delays, she accommodates the unique needs of every student. Her relationships with students are based on care, understanding and high expectations. Miritello encourages her students to communicate with others through AAC devices, Big Mac switches and other forms of whole communication, which has led to more visibility and understanding of disabilities in her school community. This has helped build compassion and empathy, as well as led to more advocacy for students with disabilities. In her third year of teaching, Miritello received the inaugural A.E.R.O. Aviator of the Year Award for excellence in teaching. Staff frequently come to her for guidance due to her creative problem solving skills, passion and advocacy efforts. For example, she advocated for equity in classroom sizes in her program. In describing Miritello, one of her fellow union members shares, 鈥淕ianna Miritello is a teacher who provides the most amount of support, thought, and care into every aspect of her job… Her impact, even at this early stage in her career, has been monumental and will undoubtedly continue to grow.鈥�

Bob Haisman Aspiring Educator Award听鈥� Anabella听Chlada听(Illinois State University Aspiring Educators, Illinois State University, Region 89)听

Bella Chlada possesses wonderful qualities of intelligence, hard work, compassion and inclusivity that set her apart from other students at ISU and around the state. Her dedication to the role of Aspiring Educators chairperson is evident in everything she does. Chlada has a natural ability to connect with others and she is always the first to greet people when they walk into a room. Her enthusiasm for leading, coupled with her ability to craft new ideas, inspires everyone around her. Many aspiring educators look to follow in Chlada鈥檚 footsteps and cause 鈥済ood trouble鈥� in public education. Because of her leadership, IEA Aspiring Educators is a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps most impressive is the work she has done to push for paid student teaching in Illinois. On top of her academic work and student teaching, she puts in extra hours to brainstorm ideas, draft plans, coordinate with her team and build the momentum needed to WIN! One of Chlada’s biggest points of pride is her teacher Instagram, @Bella.AspiringEd. She has posted her entire journey of being a member of the union and shares about the opportunities it has provided her. Many members have expressed that her Instagram is how they found out about Aspiring Ed or the reason why they became more involved. Chlada takes immense pride in enhancing and supporting the work of the union in whatever way she can. She was recently named the Bone Scholar for the Illinois State University College of Education, a top honor at ISU. Chlada is an integral member of the 黑料视频; we know she will make a fantastic special education teacher and future union leader.

Dr. Cheryl L. Thayer Higher Education Advocate Award 鈥撎鼵harmian Tashjian (adjunct, Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association, Harper College, Region 42)听

Charmian Tashjian began teaching at Harper College in 2003, when the Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association (HCAFA) was just being formed. Even before she was eligible to join, she attended meetings and assisted the negotiations team. By 2005, she was finally eligible to become an active member and eventually was elected vice president. In her various union leadership roles, she has consistently advocated on behalf of adjuncts and students鈥揻rom advocating for professional development centered on student success to developing a 鈥淟evel II鈥� program for adjuncts, a program Harper College uses to this day. During her three terms as president of HCAFA, Tashjian proposed to neighboring adjunct union presidents that they meet to discuss common issues. Her idea led to the formation of the Collar Counties Higher Education Presidents鈥� Group, which she has continued to coordinate for about 10 years. The benefits of these meetings have been invaluable, and their group discussions have helped build momentum for equity in SURS benefit calculations for adjuncts, a state-wide minimum salary for adjuncts, dual credit, remedial courses and more. As a member of the IEA Higher Education Council, she helped write legislation on some of those topics. When Thashjian sets a goal, she achieves it. Her passion and dedication have not only strengthened her local and Harper College, but also higher education contingent unions across the state and IEA as a whole. She is a powerful leader and absolutely deserving of this honor.

Education Support Professional of the Year 鈥撎齌eresa Boraas (credit recovery coordinator, Sherrard Education Association, Sherrard CUSD 200, Region 17)听

Teresa Boraas is the reason many Sherrard CUSD 200 at-risk students graduate. She runs the credit recovery program, but it is far more than a program鈥攊t is a lifesaver, a dream maker and a lifelong connection for the students she serves. Boraas gives students a path to get back on track by providing everything they may be missing: love, support, guidance, decision-making skills, clothing, food, positive affirmations and the redirection they need when they make poor choices. Through it all, she holds them to high academic standards. Boraas is always the first to sign up for anything, whether it鈥檚 food distribution, scholarship donations or supporting every new ESP who joins the district. She voluntarily trains new ESPs, providing them with a detailed instruction book, a shoulder to lean on and even a monthly dinner out to help them feel welcomed. Because of her dedication, the ESP turnover rate is lower than 2%. She is the welcoming committee, support system and guide all wrapped into one. Boraas is a champion for SEA, always encouraging new staff to join the union and explaining union benefits. After 25 years in the district, taking on a variety of different roles, she is retiring at the end of the year. She has touched the lives of so many educators and students. Because of her, our schools and our union are stronger.

Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Retiree of the Year Award 鈥撎齂elly Holland (IEA-Retired, Deep South IEA-Retired (Carterville))听

Kelly Holland taught 32 years at Marion Unit 2 schools, with more than 20 years spent as a fifth-grade teacher, before moving into her position as a reading specialist. Following her retirement from Marion, she worked part-time as a consultant and curriculum director in a smaller school district for three years. But with a history of union leadership, having served as union president and vice chair of Region 1, Holland knew she wanted to continue union work through the Deep South IEA-Retired chapter. Holland accepted the position of local secretary and quickly became an integral part of the executive committee. Early on, she took on the project of updating the local鈥檚 bylaws and constitution鈥搒omething she completed without assistance from the committee. When the chapter needed a volunteer to chair the membership committee, Holland stepped up to the plate. She worked with members of the team to come up with a new member recruitment plan and took the initiative to contact all local presidents to acquire lists of potential retirees. She contacted every member on the list, and the results were incredibly positive! Her work expands beyond her chapter, as Holland regularly contributes to the IEA-R Insider to share information with all IEA-Retired members. Her communication skills keep our members informed and engaged, and she has brought a positive new energy to Deep South IEA-Retired. Holland gives 100% to building power in her local and encouraging recently retired members to continue this important work of advocating for retirees, students and strong public schools. She is a unionist through and through and absolutely deserving of this award.

NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence 鈥撎齋arah Henkel Gehant鈥�(8th grade social studies teacher, Mendota Elementary Education Association, Mendota Community Consolidated District 289, Region 15)听

As a National Board Certified teacher with masters degrees in both history and natural science, it is clear that Sarah Henkel is an expert social studies teacher. But what makes her so remarkable goes beyond her lessons and assignments. It is her commitment to supporting her students鈥� social and emotional development, in addition to maintaining a rigorous social studies classroom, that makes her truly special. Some of Henkel鈥檚 practices include encouraging students to engage outside their social circles, promoting collaboration and always providing positive feedback on students鈥� work. In 2015, Henkel and a student were selected for the National History Day Silent Heroes program, through which her student received the opportunity to present her research at the grave of a local WWII fallen soldier buried in the Normandy American Cemetery in France. The experience inspired her student to enlist in the U.S. Army, where she served honorably for five years. Henkel has since incorporated this research project for fallen heroes into her classroom, which has led to wonderful experiences for students, including interviews with local veterans and public speaking opportunities to share their research. Henkel served as a grassroots political activist (GPA) and is a proud graduate of IEA鈥檚 Leaders for Just Schools program. She has received multiple SCORE grant awards to fund school and community initiatives, including a clothing closet and a 鈥渓unch and learn鈥� program focused on racial and social justice. Long before it was a district directive, Henkel translated her classroom materials to communicate with parents in their native languages. The result of this work has been greater trust and stronger relationships with students鈥� families. A former student describes Henkel as 鈥渙ne of the most caring and attentive students I have ever had.鈥� Her commitment to personal growth as an educator, advocacy for her school community and dedication to her students鈥� success at all levels make Henkel an outstanding candidate for this honor.

Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award听鈥� Al Llorens, former IEA president, posthumously awarded听
Math teacher. Coach.听Family man. Advocate. Labor leader. Friend.鈥�

It is only fitting that Al Llorens receive an honor named after the person who most inspired him to become president of the 黑料视频.听Llorens was deeply committed to lifting up the next generation of leaders.听He continued the work of his mentors (including Reg Weaver, Anne听Davis听and Pearl Mack) in breaking down barriers within our union, promoting听inclusion听and encouraging members of color to take on leadership roles. One of his proudest achievements was starting and leading the Ethnic Minority Emerging Leadership Training (EMELT). Supporting ethnic minority members on their pathway to union leadership will forever be a part of Llorens鈥� legacy. As a teacher and coach, Llorens reminded his students to never give up. As a Tai Chi instructor, he reminded us to breathe. As IEA president, he reminded us that even in this tumultuous period in the history of public education, we must be courageous and strong.听He believed the work our members do is the most important work there is.听From IEA member Karen Moore: 鈥淚鈥檒l听never forget the time when I was feeling weighed down by the challenges in front of me, questioning if I could really make a difference. Al leaned in, looked me straight in the eye, and said, 鈥榊ou are exactly where听you鈥檙e听supposed to be. Your voice matters, and your work matters鈥攄on鈥檛听ever doubt that.鈥� That encouragement still carries me on the hardest days.鈥澨齇ur union is better because of Llorens鈥� leadership, mentorship, kindness,听thoughtfulness听and courage. His legacy will live on in all of us.

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The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The following statement is attributable to Mercer County Education Employees Association (MCEEA) President Pam Nelson and Mercer County Education Association (MCEA) President Amanda Heinrichs:

“While the unions acknowledge the worthwhile goal of reaching solvency in the education fund, we are deeply concerned about the students and remaining employees. The administration has provided the proper notice about the possibility of Reduction in Force (RIFs). Cutting these positions does not mean there is less work or less learning to be done in our schools. Our remaining staff are going to see a large increase in their workload, which means that our students will receive less one-to-one support and could also see increased class sizes, among other diminishments to the quality of their education. It will be devastating for morale in our community if the board votes 鈥測es鈥� for this recommendation. Instead, we are encouraging the board to seek other solutions and find cuts elsewhere in the budget. This financial problem didn’t just arise overnight. We want transparency. Has the board investigated why and how we ended up in this financial position and overspent line items? We expect board members to speak up at each meeting during that portion of their agenda, so their constituents know what鈥檚 on their minds and how they reach their decisions. Our students and our community deserve better.”

The school board will act on this recommendation tomorrow night, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. MCEA represents the certified educators, teachers and nurses, while MCEEA is comprised of the hourly school staff. In addition to being president of MCEEA, Nelson is also a custodian at New Boston Elementary School. Heinrichs is the MCEA president and a teacher at Mercer County Junior High School.

Tomorrow鈥檚 special meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in the Mercer County Junior High Music Room (1002 SW 6th St., Aledo).

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The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

鈥淲e听believe this is absolutely a big step in the right direction.听This contract does what we wanted听it to do:听It听makes听Rockford听more听competitive with our neighboring districts, which means we will be able to attract talented,听new听teachers听and听retain听our experienced, dedicated educators.听That鈥檚听a big win for students and for our community,鈥澨齊EA President Claudia Marshall said.听鈥淭hat being said, we still have work to do. We know change is incremental, and we听will continue听working toward听even听more听progress听for our students,听staff听and community.鈥�

REA听and the district had been bargaining for听nearly a听year when a tentative agreement was reached on Feb.听12.听The REA ratified the agreement on听Sunday听and the BOE ratified the contract at their meeting tonight.

Bargaining began听in February听2025. REA鈥檚 contract expired in July, which means educators have听worked most of the听school听year without a contract.

鈥淚t鈥檚听been a听really difficult听year for our teachers.听There鈥檚听been so much extra stress on top of the increasing demands of听their jobs. But听I think what听kept us all going was the community support听–听all of听the parents, neighbors, local businesses, lawmakers who reached out to tell us they are standing with us and听to keep听going.听That鈥檚听what got us here.听Rockford shows up. Rockford values their teachers, and that means the world.听We are so grateful,鈥澨齅arshall said.

The new REA contract:

• Creates听one month听paid parental leave听for new parents;
• Makes听Rockford听teachers鈥� wages more competitive听through听a听4%听salary increase in the first two years of the contract and a 4.5% increase in the final year;
• Provides听either听retroactive听step and听lane movement to the start of the school year听or a bonus听(Step and lane movement听ensures teachers are compensated based on their听education听and years of experience);
• Protects听the听working听conditions of Rockford鈥檚 special education听teachers by not increasing their听workload;
• And creates a听committee to look at expanding teachers鈥� choice when it comes to retirement options,听potentially a large savings for the district.

鈥淭he听majority of our teachers live in Rockford. We send our children to school here. Many of us went to school听here听ourselves. We are Rockford. We love this town. This contract is not just an investment in听good quality听educators听and our students;听it鈥檚听an investment in the entire Rockford community,鈥� Marshall said.

The Rockford Education Association (REA)听represents听nearly 2,000听teachers, social workers, counselors, speech pathologists, nurses, psychologists and other licensed staff working and supporting听the nearly听28,000 students in District 205.

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The poll results show a majority of Illinoisans are opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in their communities and are worried about ICE presence near schools. Illinoisans also stand in opposition to the cuts to United States Department of Education (USED) funding, Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

鈥淲e know that Illinoisans support public education, but this polling takes it a step further. It shows us our state cares deeply about our students, schools and our communities,鈥� IEA President Karl Goeke said. 鈥淚CE has no place in or near our schools. Students cannot learn when they are afraid and educators cannot effectively teach when students don鈥檛 feel safe. Schools should be a safe place for our students, their parents and our teachers and staff.鈥�

The data also show Illinoisans know a strong school system leads to stronger communities. A large majority of Illinoisans said the quality of their public schools has an impact on the quality of their communities. They also believe their home鈥檚 value is directly tied to the quality of their local public school, even if they don鈥檛 have school-aged children.

鈥淭he people of Illinois get it. They understand high-quality public schools mean more than just a great education for all students, they can lift up an entire community,鈥� Goeke said. 鈥淲e know people look at the quality of the public schools when they鈥檙e choosing where to live because it means their homes are worth more. Investing in our public schools means we are investing in our entire community. We should absolutely be fully funding our schools. Everybody wins. It鈥檚 a no-brainer.鈥�

When it comes to fully funding our schools and staff, Illinoisans believe teachers, paraprofessionals and adjuncts deserve better wages.

Key points from the IEA State of Education report include:

• 85% of Illinoisans believe that students have a right to a public education;
• 84% of the public say they are very worried about the teacher shortage;
• 79% of Illinoisans are very worried about shortages for school support staff positions like paraprofessionals, bus drivers and librarians.
• 63% of the public believe adjuncts should be paid the same as tenured professors when they are teaching the same courses;
• 69% believe funding for public schools should increase;
• 66% support pension reform to allow those in the Tier 2 pension system to retire before the age of 67;
• 80% believe we should be teaching about slavery in public schools;
• 72% believe we should be teaching about racism public schools;
• 53% are opposed to ICE arresting and deporting immigrants in their communities;
• 57% are worried about ICE arresting them, a child, another parent, or school employees on school property;
• 64% are opposed to the federal government鈥檚 cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits;
• 65% are opposed to the S. Department of Education funding cuts.

The poll, conducted by both Democrat polling firm, Normington, Petts and Associates, and Republican pollster, Mercury Consulting, surveyed 1,000 Illinoisans Jan. 26-29. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent with 95 percent confidence.

鈥淭his poll asks questions we haven鈥檛 seen asked in Illinois, including questions about ICE presence near schools. By basing it on U.S. Census data, it gives us an honest look at what Illinoisans think about all things public education,鈥� pollster Jill Normington of Normington, Petts and Associates said.

鈥淚llinoisans absolutely support public education in our state, even those residents without school-aged children see the benefit of living near good schools. They know their home values are tied to their neighborhood schools, and that sends a clear message about the importance of investing in the public school system,鈥� said Pat Brady, of Mercury Consulting.

View more information on this year鈥檚 results, as well as previous years.

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

A poll of 1,000 Illinoisans conducted by Normington Petts and Associates and Next Generation Strategies in late January asked: 鈥淎s you may know, student teaching is often a full-time position, yet many student teachers do not get paid for their work. Do you favor or oppose paying a stipend of $10,000 per semester, or $20,000 for a full school year?鈥�

A total of听72% said听they听favored the idea,听20% were听opposed听and听the听remainder听were unsure.

In addition, the 黑料视频听(IEA), which is the largest education听union in听Illinois,听surveyed its own members 鈥� both those in college studying to become teachers and those in the first five years of their careers.听Nearly half听of the respondents said听they were unable to听work听and another 41% said they could only work part-time, causing them financial concerns.

The survey also showed:

• 48% relied on relatives for support and 15% sought out听additional听loans;
• 40% were prohibited from working听an听additional听job听by their institution of higher education;
• 84% said they experienced added stress over their financial status while student teaching;
• 42% faced concerns over being able to pay for housing while student teaching;
• 49% worried about being able to afford food;
• 57% worried about paying for transportation;
• 58% fretted they听wouldn鈥檛听be able to pay their tuition;
• 69% were concerned about paying for a professional wardrobe;
• And,听98% said being paid while they were practicing听to become听a teacher would have eased those concerns.

鈥淪o many students must complete an internship听in order to听prepare for their future careers and in many cases, those internships are听paid.听But听not teachers. For whatever reason, society has come to expect teachers to prepare for their careers by sacrificing their financial security,鈥� said IEA President Karl听Goeke.

鈥淲e are听in the midst of听a teacher shortage in this country. This is one more way we could fix that problem. We know we have people working as support staff in schools who study on the side to become full-time teachers, but they have bills to pay and children to听feed听and they cannot take a semester, or two, to work for no pay. We must do better by our educators.鈥�

The Illinois听House听has already passed a bill that would allow student teachers to be听paid听and the bill is currently pending in the Senate. House Bill 1375 has been introduced by Rep. Barbara Hernandez and Sen. David Koehler that could allow the House to do the same.

鈥淚t鈥檚 time for Illinois to put its money where its mouth is,鈥� Koehler said. 鈥淲e say we value education. We should also value those who work in education. We worry we听don鈥檛听have enough teachers to educate our听children听and this measure could truly help solve that problem.鈥�

Hernandez said it听isn鈥檛听fair to put more financial stress on students studying to be teachers. 鈥淪o many of our college students are already taking out loans to become educators. Why are we听adding to听that financial burden?听If we want听the best of the best in classrooms educating our children, we have to give them reason to want to become teachers and to stay in the profession.听Finances are听often one of the main reasons people leave听the听profession.听Let鈥檚听give them reason to stay.鈥�

Anabella听Chlada, an Illinois State University student who is studying to be a special education teacher and who chairs the听IEA鈥檚听Aspiring Educator program, said she must work two semesters as a student teacher for her program.

鈥淚 cannot wait to become an educator. I truly feel called to do this work,鈥澨鼵hlada听said. 鈥淏ut there is no doubt that听student teaching is a full-time commitment without pay, and that reality is incredibly stressful.听Balancing coursework while working more than eight hours a day in the classroom leaves little time to earn income outside of school. I feel the strain personally, and I see the toll it has taken on my classmates and Aspiring Educators across Illinois.鈥�

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The Illinois Education听Association (IEA)听urges听Illinoisans听to听vote 鈥淣O鈥澨齩n the question,听which is听misleadingly听worded听to make voters think听no public money听will be听used.

As it stands now, 80 percent of public schools are underfunded听in Illinois. The federal plan, much like听Illinois鈥檚听recently听lapsed 鈥淚nvest in Kids鈥� program, takes tax dollars away from public schools and gives that money to private schools.

In Illinois, it drained up to $75 million in state money听from听public听schools that educate 90 percent of our students.

In Illinois, we learned that vouchers:

• Benefit听mostly听white students;
• Fund听private听schools that are not subject to the same听state听testing standards, nor are teachers held to the same professional standards, as those in public schools;
• Failed to听demonstrate听a听financial听need among student recipients by not tracking how听many听students听actually switched听from public schools to private schools听after receiving a scholarship, or whether public money funded students who had been in private schools all along;
• Sent public money to private schools which can discriminate based on physical or emotional special needs, gender identity issues, moral听values听and听religion.
• And,听research听demonstrates听that students using vouchers often perform worse academically than their peers in public schools.

The IEA鈥檚 annual Illinois State of Education听in听Illinois report,听shows听69 percent of residents in our state support increasing funding to public schools in Illinois and that 85 percent believe ALL students are entitled to a public education.

鈥淧ublic money should stay in public schools,鈥� said IEA President Karl Goeke. 鈥淲e鈥檝e听already walked this path in Illinois,听and we learned that vouchers are a scheme. Education is听the听great equalizer for the youth in our state. We owe our children, no matter where they live, the color of their skin, how much money their parents earn, the best we can听possibly give听them. Vouchers do the exact opposite.听We鈥檝e听learned this lesson.听Let鈥檚听not repeat it.鈥�

To see听if your county听(or in some cases听your township)听will have the question on the ballot,听you can听听The听primary is March听17.听Early voting听began听Feb.听5.听You can read more about the question听in听materials prepared by听

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

鈥淥ur contract expired June鈥�30, 2024, and CCCLOC has been bargaining in good faith for over two years. City Colleges has continuously responded to our proposals with excuses and empty promises, which quickly resulted in an agreed upon mediated鈥痭egotiation. Our union understands the past delays that were the result of government shut-downs, but now City Colleges is refusing to go back to the bargaining table until the specific mediator comes back to work. That is bad faith bargaining and our union is in negotiation鈥痩imbo because City Colleges claims that it will take too long to bring a new mediator up to鈥痵peed. This mediator has been out of the office for months鈥痑nd CCCLOC has confirmed鈥痶here is no ETA for this mediator to come back to work. CCCLOC is ready to bring in a new mediator immediately and get back to the negotiating table.鈥� Our members deserve a fair and equitable contract and CCCLOC demands that City Colleges stop the delays and get back to the bargaining table!,鈥� said CCCLOC President Tony Pro.

At issue are:

• Wages: A strong majority of our membership survive primarily on adjunct salary for their income. Currently, they are earning poverty wages that simply aren鈥檛 sustainable.
• Course听overload:听City Colleges is requesting to overload adjuncts at unprecedented rates. Meaning, part-time faculty are being assigned course loads听in excess of听full-time loads without full-time salaries and benefits.
• Minimal benefits: At least 85% of CCCLOC members need assistance to pay for healthcare. It鈥檚 unbelievable in a world class city like Chicago, City Colleges forces a quarter of its own employees to rely on public assistance to survive.

CCCLOC represents more than 700 part-time faculty, librarians and vocational lecturers. CCCLOC works with students at all seven City Colleges campuses and four satellite campuses across Chicago.

CCCLOC members are planning to pack the BOT meeting and will be carrying signs that say, 鈥淐ontract Now” and “Back to the Bargaining Table.” The meeting begins Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. at Harold Washington College.

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

Weeks ago, the event was arranged by the Genoa-Kingston High School chapter of Turning Point USA, Club America. However, the assembly was just announced to students,听staff听and families last week, and was not discussed at recent BOE meetings. The high school is currently scheduled to host the听History Rocks!听assembly on Thurs., Feb. 5 at 2:30 p.m., the exact time classes are letting out for the day. Busses do not arrive to transport听students听home until 3:00p.m., which means students who feel unsafe will not be able to leave the building before the event begins.

With the assembly just days away, Turning Point USA has not authorized the release of the identities of these 鈥渘ational level speakers.鈥� However,听previous听tour stops have featured speakers such as U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Erika Kirk, wife of the late Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, is听also听rumored to make an appearance. Charlie Kirk was gunned down while on stage at another Turning Point USA event on a college campus last year.

鈥淲e have major concerns around the safety and transparency of this event,鈥� GKEA President Sam Coates said. 鈥淎ll of our students and staff deserve to be safe when they are on school grounds, especially during school hours.”

GKEA is calling on District听424 Administration and BOE to听immediately听address the following听safety听concerns:

• Timing:听Push back the event start time until 3:30听p.m. to allow for the building to be clear of any students and staff who do not wish to attend.
• Transparency: Provide students, parents, staff and the community with ample notice regarding future events, as well as the opportunity to give feedback.

鈥淲e are calling on the听district to put these safeguards into place听immediately. We are asking for open and clear communication about this event, and future events, moving forward,鈥� Coates said.

鈥淲e believe that safety should come before anything else,鈥� 黑料视频 (IEA) President Karl Goeke said. 鈥淲e stand with our members in Genoa-Kingston as they advocate for their students and themselves. When our students听don鈥檛听feel safe,听it鈥檚听not possible for them to focus on learning and their education.听There鈥檚听no question that every educator also deserves a safe workplace. It was not long ago that Turning Point鈥檚 founder was murdered on stage at another educational event. We听have to听do better.鈥�

GKEA听represents听nearly 200听members including teachers, ESPs, custodians, cooks, bus drivers, and secretaries, who serve听the approximately听1,500 students in CUSD 424.

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

This comes after听REA launched an email campaign that generated听more than 8,500听emails to听board members and Jarrett urging them to come to a听contract听agreement that pays听teachers听a fair wage,听provides full support for all students and avoids a strike.

鈥淓nough is enough. We have now been bargaining for a year. We started at the table last February.听Clearly, the听district听isn鈥檛听hearing our concerns at the table. We know parents are just as upset as we are, and we wanted to make sure their voices are heard,鈥� REA President Claudia Marshall said.听鈥淥n top of that, the听district is听now听threatening to cut learning days for students, which means听all 28,000 of our students will have fewer days in school this year.听It鈥檚听totally out听of line and听out of听sync听with听what the Rockford community wants.鈥�

“We want the administration to pay our teachers fairly and competitively. We know how hard they work and how they go above and beyond for our students. Our wages are far behind neighboring districts,鈥� resulting in open positions, which means our students aren鈥檛 getting the support and high-quality education they need to be successful in the future,鈥� parent Christina Rudolph said. 鈥淚 will gladly pick up the phone and call, especially if it means my children, other students and our teachers get what they deserve.鈥�

On听Jan. 24, the听REA听membership overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. The vote gives the听REA听bargaining team the authority to call a strike.听To legally go on strike,听REA听would also need to give a听10-day听intent to strike notice to听RPS,听the regional superintendent and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB).

REA听has been bargaining with the district since February.听REA鈥檚听contract expired in July, which means educators have been working without a contract since the start of the school year. On Dec. 4, REA and the district began working with a federal mediator during negotiation sessions.听On Dec.听22, the district issued听its听last, best offer,听signaling an unwillingness to negotiate further, which triggered the public posting process through the听IELRB.听This is also the first legal step toward a strike.

Still at issue at the bargaining table are:

• Retirement benefits:听REA is pushing to expand current retirement options, offering a choice for all members, which will have large cost savings for听RPS.
• Working conditions:听The听district听is pushing for an inequitable and unfair burden on special education teachers, while making it difficult to obtain听the necessary听paraprofessional听support for kindergarten classrooms.听Teachers go听above and beyond听by taking on听additional听duties听because there are so many unfilled positions.
• Subpar wages:听Rockford teachers make less than many neighboring districts, including Belvidere and Hononegah.鈥疪ockford salaries are below average when compared to other Illinois school districts of听similar size.
• Retroactive听pay:听Retroactive pay honors the work鈥疪EA teachers have鈥痓een doing all year. Rockford teachers are working without a contract right now, and the district can and should make them whole by providing听back听pay听for any wage increases听reflected听in听the听new contract.
• Step听increases:听The听district听wants听to take step increases away from听REA听members.听This听represents听a monetary loss not just for this contract,听but a major loss for the life of their careers in this district.听Annual step increases are part of a larger salary schedule the district has already agreed to.

鈥淚鈥檝e听said it once and听I鈥檒l听say it again.听The bottom line is听this:听A听majority of听our teachers live in Rockford. We are听Rockford. When you invest in us, you invest in our entire community. Our听students听should have听nothing less,鈥� Marshall said.

REA听represents听nearly 2,000听teachers, social workers, counselors, speech pathologists, nurses, psychologists and other licensed staff working and supporting听nearly 28,000听students in听RPS.

REA听members and parents plan to pack tomorrow night鈥檚听RPS District 205 Board of Education Committee of the Whole meeting听at the听RPS听administration听building听(501 Seventh St.,听Rockford).听The meeting begins at 6 p.m.听The next bargaining date for RPS and REA is set for Feb. 5.

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

鈥�We have done everything we can to try to avoid this vote, but the administration has left us with no choice,鈥� REA President Claudia Marshall said. 鈥淭his is about what鈥檚 best for students. We don鈥檛 have enough teachers in our buildings. We have 70 open positions right now and that鈥檚 because our wages aren鈥檛 competitive. Our students deserve better and we鈥檒l do whatever it takes to make sure they have high-quality teachers in their schools and the best public education possible.鈥�听

To legally go on strike, REA would also need to give a 10-day intent to strike notice to Rockford Public School District 205, the regional superintendent and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB).

REA has been bargaining with the district since February. REA鈥檚 contract expired in July, which means educators have been working without a contract since the start of the school year. On Dec. 4, REA and the district began working with a federal mediator during negotiation sessions. On Dec. 22, the district issued its last, best offer, signaling an unwillingness to negotiate further, which triggered the public posting process through the IELRB. This is also the first legal step toward a strike. 听

鈥淣early one in four Rockford teachers has a second or third job. We cannot afford to provide for our families. Nearly 70 percent of our teachers have considered leaving because of the low wages, increasing workload and a lack of respect,鈥� Marshall said. 鈥淢eanwhile, the Rockford taxpayers continue to pay for more and more administrative positions each year. Today, there are well over 200 central office staff positions 鈥� four times the number there were 10 years ago.- Our students don鈥檛 need more administrators working in the central office downtown. What they need is enough teachers to fully staff ALL our classrooms.鈥�

Still at issue at the bargaining table are:听

• Retirement benefits: REA is pushing to expand current retirement options, offering a choice for all members, which will have large cost savings for District 205.
• Working conditions: The district is pushing for an inequitable and unfair burden on special education teachers, while making it difficult to obtain the necessary paraprofessional support for kindergarten classrooms. Teachers go above and beyond by taking on additional duties because there are so many unfilled positions.
• Subpar wages: Rockford teachers make less than many neighboring districts, including Belvidere and Hononegah. Rockford salaries are below average when compared to other Illinois school districts of similar size.
• Retroactive pay: Retroactive pay honors the work REA teachers have been doing all year. Rockford teachers are working without a contract right now, and the district can and should make them whole by providing back pay for any wage increases reflected in the new contract.
• Step increases: The district is proposing to take step increases away from REA members. This represents a monetary loss not just for this contract, but a major loss for the life of their careers in this district. Annual step increases are part of a larger salary schedule the district has already agreed to.

鈥淩etroactive pay and step increases will show REA members the district values their commitment to the district. Taking steps away, even for a year, will mean major lifetime financial losses for Rockford teachers,鈥� Marshall said. 鈥�The bottom line is: A majority of our teachers live in Rockford. We are Rockford. When you invest in us, you invest in our entire community. Our students should have nothing less.鈥�

REA represents nearly 2,000 teachers, social workers, counselors, speech pathologists, nurses, psychologists and other licensed staff working and supporting nearly 28,000 students in District 205. 听

There are no bargaining sessions scheduled between REA and District 205.

###

The 135,000 member 黑料视频 (IEA-NEA) is the state鈥檚 largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.