The workers that keep our schools running deserve better.
Call your state representative and state senator and urge them to support and , the Unemployment Fairness Act, so you can apply for unemployment benefits over the summer! Join IEA and Illinois labor unions for a week of action April 13-17.
Simply call (507) 497-1665 and give your address. The call will automatically connect you with your first lawmaker. Share your story! How would unemployment help you and your family? There is also a fact sheet on the right side of this webpage to help you with details about the bill. Then, stay on the line and you will automatically be connected with your second lawmaker.
If no one answers, leave a message!
- Support staff eligible include听special education classroom assistants, paraeducators, lunch room workers, security guards, custodians, crossing guards, bus drivers and assistants and all others in a supportive role in our public schools and universities.
- These workers are among the lowest wage workers in Illinois鈥� public education system. They are currently not covered by the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act.
- Providing summer unemployment to these employees creates parity with other seasonal workers, fixing a longstanding gap in the law by allowing them to receive benefits when school is not in session.
You did such a great job with the Lobby Day in Springfield last month. The bill passed out of committee. Let鈥檚 work together to get this measure passed!
ESP stands for Education Support Professional. They are school support staff who have a variety of job titles, including but not limited to paraeducators, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and monitors, health techs, librarian associates, custodians, secretaries and more. ESPs are among the lowest-wage workers in Illinois鈥� public education system. Because ESPs are currently not covered by the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act, they often face extreme financial hardship over the summer. IEA is trying to change that!
