In the face of ongoing, escalating attacks on public education and unions fueled by Trump and his billionaire friends, there has been no moment in our lifetimes more important to our future as a collective. Educators must rise to meet the moment. While U.S. Secretary of Education and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) co-founder Linda McMahon, dismantles the U.S. Department of Education and cuts to federal funding to public schools that support all students, we will stand together. We will organize. United we win, for our future, for our union, for ALL of our students and for our communities.
The cuts are vast and wide sweeping: to our students’ and family’s healthcare (medicaid), to higher education research grants and to the very funding that ensures ALL of our students have the right to a public education no matter their disability, citizenship status, sexual orientation and color of their skin. For many in our great country, their freedom is on the line from those who are Black and Brown, transgender and LGBTQ+ to the immigrants who came here for a shot at a better life and the American dream. It has never been more clear, it’s our time to lead. Inaction is complicity.
Our plan focuses on harnessing the full power of Illinois’ largest union, not just in numbers, but in purpose. We are empowering our locals to organize behind what truly matters across the state of Illinois: improving the lives of our students, uplifting our communities and restoring dignity and respect to our profession.
Rooted in grassroots action and our founding values, this plan includes clear benchmarks and local priorities based on the belief that behind every school, college and university is a strong union. A union that prioritizes respect, fair wages and good working conditions at its core. A union with a foundation rooted in solidarity, sustainability and justice for all, showing our members that being part of the IEA means being part of real change.
Even in the face of great adversity when life as we know it is crumbling around us, we find hope and power when we speak with one collective voice. With empowered local leadership backed by strong army of support, we will build a union that doesn’t just represent power but wields it. Together we can transform public education and our communities, shaping, creating and building an even brighter future than we had before. One where educators lead, communities support and ALL students thrive. Together we are IEA and united we win.
