Statement on Gov. Pritzker’s proposed budget
SPRINGFIELD – The following statement is attributable to Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin. “Today marks a new day and a new focus for education in Illinois. It’s refreshing to have a governor not only focused on what is best for students and Illinois’ future, but who is willing to…
IEA Covid Tracker
Are you safe at work? New tool helps IEA members track, report COVID-19 cases, share stories.
IEA delivers 55,000 signatures, pushes for lawmakers to repeal the 3 before they leave
SPRINGFIELD – Educators from around the state carried file boxes filled with signed petitions to the Illinois State Capitol building today asking lawmakers to repeal the 3 percent threshold on pensionable teacher salaries before they leave Springfield and help preserve the profession.
River Forest educator selected as 2019 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow
RIVER FOREST – The NEA Foundation, a public charity founded by educators for educators, today named Lindsay Johnson, a teacher at Roosevelt School in River Forest, as a 2019 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow. As a fellow, Johnson will spend a year in a peer learning network, building global competency…
Statement from IEA President Kathi Griffin encouraging Governor Rauner to pass new minimum teacher salary bill
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin today released the following statement regarding the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of SB 2892. This bill will raise the minimum salary for teachers in Illinois to $40,000 a year and will be phased in over a four-year period.
Rock Island teachers call on school board members to leave vacant a newly-created deputy superintendent position
Teachers, staff and community members to pack tonight’s school board meeting ROCK ISLAND – Teachers, staff and community members will call on the Rock Island-Milan School District 41 (RIMSD) Board of Education (BOE) to leave vacant a newly-created deputy superintendent position at tonight’s school board meeting. They’ll also demand the…
How To Become a Teacher in Illinois
To teach in Illinois, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license. On this page, we’ll go over the steps required to teach in Illinois, plus answer some commonly asked questions about licensure.
Read Across Clinton is Recipient of IEA SCORE Grant
Read Across Clinton is an annual free book giveaway event that received an IEA SCORE grant this past May. Recognizing the importance of summer reading, IEA members Therese Samp and Bethany Coffman, along with community members, held the all-day event at the Clinton Elementary School on May 21. Students grades…
Legislative & Political Action
The IEA’s Department of Government Relations is dedicated to ensuring that the legislature passes no laws affecting members’ pay, working conditions and benefits without membership input.
IEA issues statement denouncing riot in Washington, D.C.
SPRINGFIELD – The following statement is attributable to IEA President Kathi Griffin: “As educators, we are tasked with the aftermath of what happened yesterday in Washington, D.C. – a day that brought out the darkest side of America. In our country, we hold tightly to our freedom. As we should,…
Mahomet teachers, education support staff vote to authorize strike
MAHOMET – Tonight, teachers and education support staff from the Mahomet-Seymour Education Association (MSEA) voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. This vote means MSEA leaders now have the authority to call a strike if a fair contract cannot be reached. At this time, no strike date has been set. “We’d…
Resources for educators regarding DACA and DACA decision
President Donald Trump said Sept. 5 that he is ending DACA, a program that allowed about 800,000 people who entered the United States illegally as children the ability to register and work here. DACA is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals law. Trump is giving the program six months to expire and called…
IEA Legislative Update for May 24, 2019
One week and counting! That is how much time is left before the scheduled adjournment of the spring legislative session of the 101st Illinois General Assembly. Most of the discussions are focused solely on the passage of a budget and a possible capital bill.
Crystal Lake School District 47 Administration illegally hires outside firm to recruit temporary employees
CRYSTAL LAKE – The Crystal Lake Association of Support Staff (CLASS) plans to file an unfair labor practice (ULP) with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) after Community Unit School District 47 administrators violated the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA) and illegally retained a recruiting firm to hire…
IEA Legislative Update for May 3, 2019
The Fair Tax amendment SJRCA 1 moved from the Senate to the House with a full head of steam and a few pieces of baggage. If approved by the voters in November 2020, the amendment will enable the State of Illinois to have a graduated income tax. Several other proposals,…
MEDIA ADVISORY: IEA celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week, will make a special announcement to help combat teacher shortage
WHAT: The Illinois Education Association (IEA) will hold a weeklong, virtual celebration for Illinois teachers coinciding with National Teacher Appreciation Week. WHEN: National Teacher Appreciation Week 2020 is May 4-8. To kickoff the virtual celebration, the IEA created a Zoom background for Illinois students to use during their remote learning classes…
Carbondale teachers to file intent to strike notice today, could go on strike in 10 days
CARBONDALE – The Carbondale Education Association (CEA) will file its intent to strike notice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) today. The notice allows CEA to legally strike in 10 calendar days. The earliest date educators could walk is Fri., Oct. 4. “We are filing our intent to strike…
National Education Association President Becky Pringle visits Collinsville High School to visit members, teacher program
COLLINSVILLE – National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle will visit four locations in Illinois as part of her Joy, Justice and Excellence tour, talking to members about their concerns, challenges and successes during this school year and throughout the pandemic. Pringle will be joined by Illinois Education Association (IEA)…
Illinois Education Association Calls on School Districts, Lawmakers to Take Immediate Action to Address Increased Violence in Schools
In the wake of the Michigan school shooting, IEA pushes for safe schools for all SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin is calling on school districts that are not adhering to Illinois school safety laws to immediately comply. Griffin made the announcement at a news conference earlier…
Illinois Education Association honors educators from around the state
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) awarded seven educators from around the state for their outstanding commitment to their schools, students, communities and public education. The awards were presented during the IEA Representative Assembly (RA). The RA is the legislative body of the IEA and helps the state’s largest…