Pensions will remain the hottest topic in state government throughout May. How this fight ends depends greatly on what IEA members, active and retired, decide to do about it. Last week, the pension legislation that was negotiated with Senate … [Read more...]
A few days ago, a writer for the Chicago Tribune called the IEA Chicago office seeking the text of the current IEA radio spot. The spot, called, “We do it for the kids,” features the voices of teachers talking about why they are … [Read more...]
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is poised to move on the proposed reduction of benefits for participants in the state pension systems. On Tuesday, Madigan filed a legislative amendment, which, if it is amended onto SB1, would allow one bill … [Read more...]
Something unusual occurred Wednesday night at Palatine’s Harper College. A public forum on the state pension systems not only featured a discussion of whether and how much public employee pension benefits should be cut, topics … [Read more...]
A troubling media rumor we first heard last month hasn't gone away. If true, it would mean a dimmer future for those who believe journalism should be about truth and fairness. According to the New York Times, the infamous Koch (pronounced … [Read more...]
Among the recipients of awards presented at the just-concluded IEA Representative Assembly were two men of strong conviction who have, despite tremendous pressure, stood for IEA members by supporting additional resources for education and opposing … [Read more...]
Lawmakers return to Springfield amid high anticipation that the pension attack that was in full swing before the legislative spring break will resume. When we last saw the General Assembly, pensions were under attack in both chambers: The … [Read more...]
It's possible you don't need to participate in IEA's "Back Home Lobbying" effort. To be certain, see if you agree or disagree with the following: I trust the members of the General Assembly to pass a constitutional and fair pension fix … [Read more...]
Monday’s editorial from the Chicago Tribune, unsurprisingly, calls for the Illinois General Assembly to pass pension-cutting legislation opposed by IEA and the other members of the We Are One Illinois labor coalition. Nothing new about … [Read more...]
You might have heard about this week’s strike by nearly 800 building-service and food workers at the University of Illinois Champaign campus. It’s a labor contract dispute. Two sides disagree. Eventually, they’ll reach agreement. But … [Read more...]
Illinois Education Association is an association of more than 130,000 members composed of Illinois elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers.