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U.S. House votes to repeal GPO-WEP, Senate is next

The following statement can be attributed to Al Llorens, president of the Illinois Education Association: “It is long past time to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). This measure denies Illinois educators who are part of either the Teachers’ Retirement System or State Universities Retirement…

Crystal Lake school district 47 administration illegally hires outside firm to recruit temporary teachers, engages in bad faith bargaining

This new charge comes after District 47 entered into a settlement for illegally hiring education support staff. CRYSTAL LAKE – The Crystal Lake Elementary Teachers Association (CLETA) this week filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) after Community Unit School District 47 administrators…

Crystal Lake teachers declare impasse

CRYSTAL LAKE – After several federally mediated bargaining sessions between the District 47 Board of Education and the Crystal Lake Elementary Teachers Association (CLETA), CLETA is declaring impasse and initiating the public posting process. Once the public posting process is initiated by the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) the union…

Southern Illinois University faculty secure new contract

CARBONDALE – Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) and the Southern Illinois University Faculty Association (SIU-FA) have reached a collective bargaining agreement that has been ratified by the SIU-FA membership, the university and the association announced today (Aug. 5). The agreement is effective July 1, 2024. “Our most valuable resource is our…

73% of Crystal Lake teachers considering leaving the district

Teachers and community will rally ahead of tonight’s federal mediation session CRYSTAL LAKE – The Crystal Lake Elementary Teachers’ Association (CLETA) recently surveyed its members and found 73% are considering leaving teaching and 89% of those surveyed say their jobs have gotten harder in the last year. This new data…

IEA statement on Sonya Massey murder

SPRINGFIELD – The following statement is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Al Llorens: “On July 6, 36-year-old Springfield resident and mother of two, Sonya Massey, called 911 to ask police to come to her house to check for a prowler. Within minutes of entering her home, a Sangamon…

Illinois Education Association to Release Annual, Bi-Partisan State of Education Report

Poll shows Illinoisans are increasingly worried about the teacher and education employee shortages and support policies that could alleviate the shortages SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Education Association (IEA) will release its fifth annual IEA State of Education report today, the only bipartisan poll monitoring Illinoisans’ views on all aspects of public…

Illinois Education Association Statement on Gov. Pritzker FY24 Budget Address

IEA President Kathi Griffin looks forward to governor’s plans for preschool for all, $100 million increase in funding for higher education and solving the teacher shortage SPRINGFIELD – The following statement on Gov. Pritzker’s FY24 budget address is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin: “Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s…

IEA President Kathi Griffin on the appointment of Dr. Tony Sanders to ISBE

SPRINGFIELD – The following statement regarding the appointment of Dr. Anthony “Tony” Sanders as the 31st State Superintendent of Education for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin: “We worked collaboratively with Dr. Carmen Ayala and we look forward to…

Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin Statement on Midterm Election

SPRINGFIELD – The following is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin: “Public education was on the ballot during this midterm election season, and our members made sure the best people for our students, our schools and our educators were elected. We are proud to say nearly all…

IEA Board of Directors recommends candidates for statewide constitutional officers

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) Board of Directors recommended five candidates for the state’s constitutional offices.  The IEA board is made up of 93 IEA members from throughout the state of Illinois and the board made its decision at its monthly meeting Saturday in Springfield. The candidates who…