SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin released the following statement in response to the executive order issued today by Gov. JB Pritzker:
“We support Gov. JB Pritzker’s decision to close our school buildings through the end of the year. This decision was based on facts and scientific data, and we believe it is the right move to ensure the safety of our students, our educators and our communities. While we know there is absolutely no replacement for the one-to-one contact educators have with our students in schools, our teachers, paraprofessionals, adjuncts and support staff across the state are doing everything they can to make sure all students are safe, fed and are successful during the remote learning that will continue for the rest of the school year.
We know this is an exceptionally hard time for our students, our parents, our communities and all of our educators. We will get through this together. We truly are better together.”
###
The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest education employee’s organization. IEA represents preK-12 teachers outside of the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.
