“School board members should never be campaigning during a board meeting. That time is meant to be discussing how to best serve our students and our community,” EAEA President Pete Kleeman said. “We look forward to the outcome of the attorney general’s investigation.”

A letter from the AG’s office details what evidence they are requesting to review during their investigation, including a voice recording of the BOE’s closed session on Feb. 18.

The text messages in question were sent by Bailey to an EAEA union representative during closed session on Feb. 18. In the messages, Bailey requests to meet with the union regarding an endorsement in the April 1 BOE election where Bailey was running as an incumbent.

The from the Feb. 18 meeting show Bailey was in attendance and the board was in executive session from 7:48 p.m. to 8:49 p.m. The text messages are all time stamped and show they were sent during closed session.

“While I was shocked to receive the messages during the meeting, I can’t say I’m surprised,” Kleeman said. “The board has a history of questionable behavior, including irresponsibly spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. All of this is a massive distraction from the true work of the board, which is figuring out the best way to support our students.”

The East Alton BOE has engaged in questionable behavior in the past, including:

• Spending $7,000 to hire a private investigator to follow the D13 superintendent (bill attached);
• Appropriating more than $300,000 in payments to three different superintendents at the same time;
• Repeated failures to timely replace school board members who resigned, which resulted in a short-staffed board responsible for pivotal district decisions.

The BOE now has seven days to respond to the request for additional information from the AG’s office.

The EAEA is a union representing the more than 60 certified personnel, including teachers, social workers, psychologists and speech pathologists, of East Alton School District 13. EAEA’s mission is to advocate for the welfare of members, improve the quality of education in District 13 and serve as a voice for the nearly 700 East Alton students and their families.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

Bettag and others affiliated with the real estate attorney’s fringe group, Kane County Speaks, knowingly distributed hundreds if not thousands of fake flyers to the St. Charles community. These flyers, with deliberate disinformation, have been caught on as they’re being left on doors, on mailboxes and even on cars in church parking lots—despite members of those churches specifically asking these individuals not to distribute materials on their grounds.

These flyers indicate the candidates pictured are endorsed by D303 educators, however, these are not the candidates endorsed by the D303 educator coalition, which is comprised of SCEA, the St. Charles Educational Support Professionals (SCESP) and the St. Charles Transportation and Maintenance (SCT&M). The flyers also note they are affiliated with Kane County Speaks and paid for by the political action committee (PAC) , which according to state elections data is chaired by Bettag’s wife, Michelle Brickert.

“There is a calculated effort in D303 to take advantage of the community’s trust in our educators, a trust we have worked so hard to build, and it is an effort that manipulates the voters in our community,” SCEA President Jennifer Adam said. “This group, like so many others, is working to undermine the work of public educators and public schools by infiltrating our school boards. Our students and our communities deserve better than this. We deserve honesty, integrity and leaders who will put education and children above political gamesmanship.”

The flyer in question lists only one of the four candidates formally recommended by the coalition of St. Charles educator unions, known as D303 educators.

The official candidates recommended by the union coalition are:

• Kate Bell
• Heidi Fairgrieve
• Jenna Hancock
• Kimberly Rich

“These fake flyers mimic the language our coalition of unions has historically used in support of our recommended candidates, falsely claiming that D303 educators have endorsed three school board candidates who did seek the recommendations of our three D303 unions but did not receive them,” SCEA President Jennifer Adam said. “This behavior would be wrong for any citizen, but it is especially egregious when you know it is coming from an attorney who took an oath to uphold the laws of our great state with integrity and respect.”

The union coalition encourages community members to seek accurate information and verify endorsements through trusted sources.

“We hope our community recognizes the gravity of this situation, and it isn’t fooled by the disinformation circulating,” Adam said. “The right to vote is a privilege, especially in an election that so directly and deeply impacts our students’ lives.”

SCEA, SCESP and SCT&M represent the more than 1,400 teachers, licensed staff, support staff, maintenance workers, custodians, grounds workers, and bus drivers currently working at the 15 schools in District 303. They serve the more than 11,500 students in the district.

. Election Day is April 1.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

Each bag contains essential school supplies, including spiral notebooks, pens, pencils and crayons, as well as household items such as toothpaste, combs, brushes, hygiene kits, laundry soap, dish soap and microfiber rags. Additionally, the bags provide vital information from the IEA and the Village of Dolton regarding residents’ rights, local food pantries and free community resources. A special donation of new girls’ shoes, provided by a dedicated Lincoln teacher, is also available to any newcomer in need.

“This project is more than just assembling bags—it symbolizes our commitment to community service and the strong bonds we create with our students and local community leaders,” said DEA Vice President LeShele Silas Armour. “Our teachers, students, and partners such as the Dolton Support Association 148, Dolton Police Department and Dolton Fire Department all played a crucial role in making this event a success. We are proud to work alongside our community to welcome and support every new family.”

Fifty new families will receive these welcome bags on Mon., March 31, during parent-teacher conferences, with additional bags provided at registration as new students enroll. This initiative underscores the vital role of community service in education, demonstrating how collaborative efforts among teachers, students and community stakeholders can create lasting positive impacts on our neighborhoods.

“This is the perfect example of how educators can use SCORE grants to partner with our communities to improve the lives of students and families,” IEA President Al Llorens said. “Our members are not just focused on the classroom, they do so much more than that. They are focused on supporting our students and communities, so we can truly build strong public schools for all students.”

DEA about 180 teachers and other licensed professionals working in D148. They serve the nearly 2,000 students who attend school in the district.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The poll results show despite President Donald Trump’s and United States Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s continued efforts to dismantle and destroy the United States Department of Education (USED), Illinoisans believe all students have a right to a public education, support public schools and believe teachers and support staff should earn more money.

“Public education is the great equalizer. It’s the key to the American Dream. It is the one thing our country does that levels the playing field for all children. Rural, suburban, urban, no matter who you are or where you come from, a good education can change your life,” IEA President Al Llorens said. “We will continue to do whatever it takes to make sure our students have access to strong public schools. It’s what Illinoisans want and it’s what our students deserve.”

The data show having high-quality public schools is more important than balancing the state’s budget. However, Illinoisans also recognize our schools don’t have enough funding, especially when they know 80% of the state’s public schools are underfunded.

“The people of our great state strongly support public education and our students, so much so that they support fixing the funding issues facing our schools. They recognize teachers and staff are working harder than ever before and they also know our educators are not making enough money and don’t have enough support in our schools,” Llorens said.

When it comes to school board elections, the people of Illinois believe school board members should be most focused on student success, not taxpayers or politics. They also don’t want national political groups involved in local school board elections.

Key data points from the IEA State of Education report include:

• 91% of Illinoisans believe that students have a right to a public education;
• 74% of people think teaching has become harder over the last few years;
• 78% of the public say they are very worried about the teacher shortage;
• 71% believe funding for public schools should increase;
• 62% support pension reform to allow those in the Tier 2 pension system to retire before the age of 67;
• 62% of the public believe adjuncts should be paid the same as tenured professors when they are teaching the same courses;
• 80% of Illinoisans are opposed to book bans;
• The vast majority believe we should be teaching racism (75%) and slavery (81%) in our public schools;
• 72% of Illinoisans believe national political groups should not be involved in local school board elections.

The poll, conducted by both a democrat polling firm, Normington Petts, and republican pollster, Next Generation Strategies, surveyed 1,000 Illinoisans Jan. 27-30. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent with 95 percent confidence.

“This poll gives us a unique vantage point, telling us what people might be thinking about any cuts to public education. It is an unbiased look at what the people of Illinois value, and clearly that’s students and access to a public education,” Pollster Jill Normington of Normington Petts said.

“Illinoisans continue to support public education in our state and value those who work in it, and they tell us so year after year,” Next Generation Strategies Pollster Pat Brady said.

For more information on this year’s results, as well as previous years, click here.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

“School board members are elected to focus on our students and our schools. To blatantly disregard the law and campaign during a school board meeting is not just a distraction, it hurts our students,” EAEA President Pete Kleeman said.

The text messages were sent by Bailey to an EAEA union representative on Feb. 18. In the messages, Bailey requests to meet with the union regarding an endorsement in the upcoming BOE election where Bailey is running as an incumbent.

The from the meeting in question show Bailey was in attendance and the board was in executive session from 7:48 p.m. to 8:49 p.m. The text messages are all time stamped and were sent during closed session.

“I think it’s important the public has the full picture about the folks running to support our students. We need candidates who understand the responsibility of serving on the board and who respect the electoral process,” Kleeman said. “We know that strong students, mean strong schools and strong communities. We’re recommending candidates that truly put students first, and who understand campaigning while you’re supposed to be supporting our students is illegal and doesn’t support anyone but themselves.”

The East Alton BOE has engaged in questionable behavior in the past, including:

• Hiring a private investigator to follow the D13 superintendent;
• Appropriating more than $300,000 in payments to three different superintendents at the same time;
• Repeated failures to timely replace school board members who resigned, which resulted in a short-staffed board responsible for pivotal decisions like hiring a new superintendent and bargaining with both unions in the district.

“We are looking to the future of our district and want to set ourselves up for success. As educators and staff who dedicate our lives to East Alton students, we take seriously our responsibility to recommend candidates who are committed to the success of all learners. Our recommendation process is thorough, transparent and rooted in our shared vision for a thriving school district,” Kleeman said.

The EAEA endorsed candidates are:

• Jennifer Chandler (four-year term)
• Blake Compton (four-year term)
• Jeffrey Hinkle (four-year term)
• Jacqulyn McCann (four-year term)
• Logan Sims (two-year term)

The EAEA is a union representing the more than 60 certified personnel, including teachers, social workers, psychologists and speech pathologists, of East Alton School District 13. EAEA’s mission is to advocate for the welfare of members, improve the quality of education in District 13 and serve as a voice for the nearly 700 East Alton students and their families.

The union encourages community members to seek accurate information about the candidates running for school board. The upcoming election on April 1 offers a crucial opportunity for voters to have a direct impact on the future of East Alton students’ education.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

In a memo sent out on March 19, the district noted the plan is to recommend the BOE vote to non-renew 14 probationary teachers and six permanent, roving substitute positions. The administration is also asking the board not to fill the positions of seven retirees. EEA did not receive the proper 15-day notice for the 27 proposed reductions in force (RIFs) as required by their contractual agreement with the district.

“We recognize the board and administration have a responsibility to have an appropriate level of staffing based on enrollment and school funding. But it does not make sense why the board has been approving almost every purchase brought to them for the last several years and now all the sudden, they’re in some sort of financial panic,” EEA Co-President Robert Unzicker said. “Such a panic that we are eliminating 27 positions, which will have an impact on student learning and add to the workload of the remaining staff.”

In the past year, D7 has requested and the BOE has approved:

• the purchasing of several sport utility vehicles (SUVs),
• buying shuttles,
• rental agreements for several downtown offices,
• purchasing software licenses that are being underutilized like Panorama and Thought Exchange,
• sending staff several states away for professional development that was also being offered in nearby St. Louis,
• and adding multiple new administrator positions.

“These proposed cuts are coming while there is $12 million in D7’s educational reserves. School districts are not banks. We should not be taxing our community, so we can sit on a huge pile of cash and cut services to our students,” Unzicker said. “We are requesting the board do the right thing and protect these positions.”

There are more than 500 teachers and certified staff in the EEA bargaining unit serving the more than 7,000 students who attend D7 schools.

Tonight’s board meeting begins at 7 p.m., however teachers and community members will begin arriving around 4 p.m., ahead of executive session which will start at 5:15 p.m. The board meeting will be held at Liberty Middle School (1 District Drive, Edwardsville). .

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

“Gutting the U.S. Department of Education means gutting some of the most important programs our public schools provide to the most vulnerable students and that doesn’t make any country greater.

Educators and parents agree that America’s students need more opportunities to succeed and the one way to do that is to strengthen the public schools. Public schools are home to 90 percent of the country’s students and 95 percent of special education students. Public schools are the great equalizer and programs for them should not be cut to give millionaires and billionaires deeper tax cuts. In a country of opportunity like ours, there is no reason to make the rich richer off the backs of our children who need the most services.

No matter where students live in Illinois, DuQuoin to Rockford and the Quad Cities to Effingham, our students deserve the best we have to offer. The federal education department does not guide curriculum in our state. It does not decide what our children will learn. However, it does provide funding for special education programs, food for our neediest children and grants to send our poorest students to college.

We are asking Illinoisans to stand up to protect Illinois’s students. Here are three easy steps:

• to fight back.
• on social media.
• and hang it in your window.

What’s happening now is a reverse Robin Hood – taking from the needy to give to the ultra-wealthy. And, we shouldn’t stand for it. We also know that Illinoisans don’t support this idea. Through our annual State of Education in Illinois bipartisan polling, we know:

• 80 percent of our state believes funding for public education should increase.
• 91 percent agree that every child in Illinois has a right to an education at a public school.
• 92 percent believe every child with a disability has the right to a public education in our state.
• Only 11 percent of our state’s adults believe politicians should have any voice in how public schools operate.

Today’s actions are harmful to Illinois students and communities. These cuts harm our children, our students. As the largest education organization in our state, we will continue to fight and we urge other Illinoisans to do the same.”

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

These candidates were selected after an extensive vetting process which included research and in-person candidate interviews. After the interview process, the team met to determine which candidates would best serve the interests of Glenview students, educators and the community.

The following statement is attributable to GEA President Nanette Ross-Meridith and GPA President Marguerite Cole:

“The Glenview Education Association and Glenview Professional Association are proud to endorse Jessica Pritzker and Eva Giglio for election to the District 34 Board of Education. In our conversations with each candidate, leaders from both unions were extremely impressed with their commitment to the social emotional well-being and academic success of our students. They share our ideals of equity and social justice, respect the expertise of educators and understand the value of collaborative leadership. These commitments are evident not just in their words, but in their long-term careers as public educators, union members and educational leaders. We look forward to continuing to work alongside the school board to lift up the voices of all Glenview students and educators.”

GEA and GPA together represent more than 479 educators and staff working in the D34 school district. They serve the more than 4,200 students attending D34’s eight schools.

The D34 school board election is April 1. Early voting began March 17.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

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 union set its agenda for the year. There are 1,200 IEA delegates, guests and state dignitaries who attend the RA.

The IEA award recipients were nominated and chosen for their awards by their peers.

The 2025 IEA RA award winners are:

Bob Haisman Early Career Teacher of the Year Award – Christopher Pettit (Orchestra teacher, Bell Graham Elementary School CUSD 303)

As an early career educator, Christopher Pettit has demonstrated outstanding involvement in our local, state and national associations. Christopher has served as a region council member, IEA Representative Assembly (RA) delegate, National Education Association Representative Assembly (NEA RA) delegate and building representative for his local, St. Charles Education Association. In addition to holding leadership roles, he contributes to the elections, grievance and school board elections committees. Christopher’s commitment to union involvement at multiple levels is truly commendable for an educator in the first decade of his career. In terms of professional achievements, Christopher played an active role in creating the D303 elementary orchestra curriculum, leveraging his strong understanding of state and national standards as well as his background in private instruction. He has created an orchestra program environment where students across the socioeconomic spectrum feel valued, capable and motivated to excel. Perhaps most impressively, Christopher has enhanced the image of new teachers through his proactive approach to professional growth. As a graduate of the EMELT program, he has sought out opportunities to develop his skills and taken on responsibilities typically associated with more veteran educators. Christopher embodies the spirit of excellence, engagement and advocacy that this award seeks to recognize. His contributions to our association, his profession and public education as a whole make him an outstanding candidate for this honor.

Bob Haisman Student of the Year Award – Stephanie Chávez (aspiring educator, Elmhurst University

As an IEA Aspiring Educator, Stephanie Chávez has consistently demonstrated strong values of leadership, reliability, compassion and consistency. As a College of DuPage student in 2023, Stephanie recognized the power of aspiring educators standing with faculty members. During tense negotiations between the College of DuPage Faculty Association and the board of trustees, Stephanie spoke out in support of her professors and showed up to their rallies. Stephanie went on to be honored as one of two outstanding graduates at College of DuPage. As IEA Aspiring Educator chair, Stephanie has been an advocate for paid student teaching and represented fellow members in 2024 by speaking on a panel at the NEA Aspiring Educators conference. Stephanie is passionate about ensuring representation for educators of color in every space she is in. This past year, she was recognized during Hispanic Heritage Month by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez for her contributions to public education. As a first generation Mexican-American, Stephanie is committed to teaching her students to be proud of their roots, especially children of immigrant families. She will graduate from Elmhurst University in May 2026! Her commitment to public education, strong work ethic and unwavering kindness and compassion have made her an excellent leader in IEA Aspiring Educators.ĚýĚý

Dr. Cheryl L. Thayer Higher Education Advocate Award – Marquitta Martin (adjunct professor, City Colleges of Chicago)

Professor Martin has been a fearless advocate for fair pay for members of the cosmetology department at City Colleges of Chicago. Years ago, she identified that faculty in this department—predominantly women of color—were being paid half the rate that other adjunct professors were being paid. The union discovered this unfair practice only after Martin identified it in her own paychecks and adamantly pursued the question of “Why?” She fought for this issue personally with the administration, organized fellow union members to get on board, pushed for it in bargaining and was central to the grievance and arbitration that eventually won equal pay. When people think of higher education, they usually think of math, science, English or the humanities. Or, they think of building and manufacturing trades when they think of career and technical training. Part-time faculty in the cosmetology department are too often forgotten despite the invaluable training and service they provide their students. Martin has never let her colleagues or her students be forgotten. She exemplifies the mantra, “when we fight, we win!” Martin is a fighter, and she and her colleagues are no longer alone in their struggle for dignity and recognition for their department. Her involvement in the union has changed how we represent our members and how we think about the meaning of higher education.

Education Support Professional of the Year – Dawn Gmitro (instructional assistant, A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative D806)

Dawn Gmitro is an instructional assistant for a special education co-operative in a junior high multi-needs classroom. Throughout her career, she has shown incredible growth and does an excellent job adapting to the needs of her students across programs. As the union hallway representative for her wing of the building, she is a resource for her coworkers and empowers them to advocate for themselves and others in the workplace. What makes Gmitro stand out is her motivation to look beyond the classroom. She works to have a deep understanding of every student and goes out of her way to interact with their families to build positive, trusting relationships. She looks, listens and talks with her students to understand what they need to succeed—and she holds them to high expectations. As a colleague, Dawn brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine love and passion into the classroom. Not only does she support students, but also her fellow staff members. In everything she does, Dawn is professional and honest, while showing compassion and understanding. She makes the AERO Special Education Cooperative better for every student, family and educator.

Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Retiree Award – Levita Anderson (retired educator)

As an educator of 36 years and active retired IEA/NEA member of 49 years, Levita has made significant contributions to our union. In the many years she has been a member, she has not only organized new locals, including the Education Support Professionals local in District 144, but she has also recruited retirees through endless membership drives. She promotes the retired chapter by running the membership table at every RA she attends. Anderson knows our voice as educators is our power. In addition to participating in recommendation meetings for local and state candidates, she encourages members, and anyone who will listen, to get involved in elections. If you have found yourself at an action day, it’s probably because she talked you into it! In the late 1990s, Anderson stood alongside fellow union members and walked from the Springfield IEA office to the U.S. Capitol to protest GPO/WEP. After many years of hard work, the NEA, IEA and its coalitions were victorious in repealing the unfair law that negatively impacted retirees. Beyond her work in the classroom for 36 years, she advocated for her local members, bargained countless contracts, and most importantly, lifted up future leaders. Anderson puts her boots to the ground and speaks truth to power, and she does it in the humblest manner. She is a force within the IEA/NEA and continues to serve and mentor with inspirational enthusiasm. Her impact on our union is truly immeasurable.

NEA Award for Teaching Excellence – Kimberly Radostits (Spanish teacher, Oregon Junior/Senior High School CUSD 220)

As a Spanish teacher at Oregon High School, Kimberly Radostits has built supports not only for students to help guarantee their success, but also for her fellow teachers. Early in her career, Kimberly encountered a student who hated school. She challenged herself and her student to find ways to make school better–and she has never stopped doing just that.ĚýMiss Rad, as her students aptly call her, is the epitome of a teacher leader. As a Spanish teacher, she has created an AP Spanish curriculum, designed and implemented an award-winning program for at-risk freshmen that has a 96 percent pass rate and turned students’ academic careers around in the course of the past 16 years. She created a day of community service, created a mentoring program for new teachers to help them succeed and moderated an online forum for 14,000 Spanish teachers from around the country to help each other perfect their craft, among so many other accomplishments. In addition, she served as the Illinois Teacher of the Year and used that position to help spread the message of her “Freshmen on Track” program to districts across the state, changing lives of so many of Illinois’s youth. She cares deeply about her co-workers and is known for leaving a piece of candy in staff members’ mailboxes once a month with a handwritten note. When students had to choose a teacher to thank one year at Thanksgiving, the majority of them chose Miss Rad for “helping them feel like they belong at our school.” You would be hard pressed to find a better example of a teacher of excellence. Miss Rad makes students feel safe and welcomed at school and ensures the future of the profession by supporting and mentoring her co-workers. She is the true embodiment of all the reasons this award exists.

Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award – Amy Evans (intervention reading assistant, Lincoln Elementary School CUSD66)

Amy Evans is a voice for ALL. Evans has served as local president, region chair, and now NEA ESP-at-large, advocating from the local level to the national level for member rights and advancing the profession. At the local and state level, Evans has collaborated with National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) to expand their services to counties in central Illinois. She has lobbied in Springfield for funding for 988 and crisis response services and suicide prevention funding and worked with her city of Canton to have an official Suicide Prevention Week to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information. Evans established the Doyle Hutton III Memorial Scholarship fund to raise awareness for those who struggle with mental health and in May 2024, the scholarship fund awarded scholarships to seven high school seniors, totaling $4,500. As the NEA ESP-at-large, Amy advocates for mental health, equity, and social justice. She is a strong voice for mental health support for our members and empowers fellow union members to start conversations in their own public schools and communities. Amy is a bright light in our public schools. Her service to others is never ending. She is the definition of a humanitarian.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

“The U.S. Department of Education (USED) was founded to help realize the promise of a quality public school for every student no matter where they live, the color of their skin or how much money their family makes. It does not dictate what schools teach kids or how they educate them. It is part of the fabric that IS public education in the United States and it is public education that works as the great equalizer for our country. Dismantling USED and firing up to 50 percent of its employees will have a profound effect on schools in Illinois. Several programs could be impacted, for instance:

• More than 1,000 school districts and educational entities in the state receive Title 1 money, funds set aside to help schools with the most impoverished students. This money helps 960,095 students in our state.
• More than 1,000 educational entities also receive funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a federal law that ensures children with disabilities receive free and appropriate education. At least 295,261 Illinois students benefit from these funds.
• Another 264,460 Illinois college students receive Pell grants – money to help the neediest students afford a college education.
• And more than 28,000 students in Illinois are enrolled in Head Start, a program designed to support children’s growth from birth to age 5 through services centered around early learning and development.

These are valuable and needed initiatives that serve our most vulnerable. The şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř knows, because we ask Illinoisans each spring about their opinions on public education in Illinois in our annual and bi-partisan State of Education in Illinois. Illinoisans report that:

• Four in five schools in our state are already underfunded and 80 percent of our state believes funding for public education should increase.
• Ninety-one percent of Illinoisans agree that every child in Illinois has a right to an education at a public school.
• And, 92 percent believe that every child with a disability has the right to a public education in our state.
• Only 11 percent of our state’s residents believe that politicians should have any voice in how public schools are run.

Cutting USED will be deeply harmful to Illinois students and our communities. Ninety percent of the students in our state attend public schools and 95 percent of students with disabilities are students within our buildings. Making broad-based cuts like those ordered today doesn’t affect faceless bureaucrats, it affects our kids. We will fight this action. As the largest educator organization in Illinois, it is our mission to do so.”

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

CLETA and CLASS are recommending the following candidates:

• Andrew Buckler
• Devon Hubbard Tessmer
• James (Jim) Nelson
• Maria Krause

These candidates were selected after an extensive vetting process which included research, a candidate questionnaire and in-person candidate interviews. After the interview process, the team met to determine which candidates would best serve the interests of Crystal Lake students, educators and the community.

The following statement is attributable to CLETA spokesperson Martha Mann and CLASS President Stephanie Lieurance:

“After talking to all the candidates, the school board election committee reviewed the qualifications, experience and the alignment of the candidates’ values and goals with CLETA and CLASS.ĚýThe candidates we are recommending demonstrate the skills necessary to contribute positively to our educational environment. These individuals will be a great asset to the District 47 Board of Education and will help move District 47 forward in the following ways:

• All candidates will put students first and are motivated by providing the best education for all students.
• They’re aware of the challenges facing the district and will work to correct these issues.
• Our recommended candidates prioritize direct, open communication with educators and the community.
• All candidates have the passion and the ability to make positive changes to enhance the strengths of the current school board.”

CLETA and CLASS together represent more than 750 educators and staff working in the D47 school district. They serve the more than 7,000 students attending D47’s 12 schools.

The D47 school board election is April 1. Early voting begins March 17.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

Walk-ins are collective actions that can be used to show the power of the people to make our public schools and schools’ roles in our communities possible.

During walk-ins, parents, educators and students, along with neighbors and community leaders, gather in front of their schools 30-45 minutes before the day begins, hold a short rally with speakers who talk about wants for the school and then everyone walks into the building together. The March 19 date coincides with date federal lawmakers return to their home districts.

For more information on how to create an event or note that you’re hosting one, .

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The coalition of District 65 educator unions is recommending the following candidates:

• Patricia Anderson
• Peter Bogira
• Chris Van Nostrand
• Andrew Wymer

These candidates are being recommended after the educator union coalition hosted a school board candidate forum on Sat., March 1. All school board candidates were invited to attend virtually.

Representatives from each union, which included local presidents, were present. The forum was moderated by IEA member and National Education Association (NEA) Director Bill Farmer who asked the candidates various questions ranging from fiscal responsibility to educator autonomy, after-school programming, and much more.

The local unions strongly believe in equity and diversity for all. They believe in partnering with the school board and school leadership. They look forward to and strongly encourage open communication and transparency to reach optimum results for all stakeholders, most importantly the students.

DEC, DESC, EACCP, ECMA and ETAA together represent more than 1,000 educators and staff working in the D65 school district. They serve the more than 6,100 students attending D65’s 19 schools, centers and sites.

The D65 school board election is April 1. Early voting begins March 17.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

NORMAL, IL – On March 6, more than 500 high school students, teachers and education professionals from across the state will gather in Bloomington for the fifth annual Educators Rising state conference. This program aims to strengthen the educator pipeline by inspiring students to enter the teaching profession and providing the resources they need to succeed.Ěý

“If we are going to address the teacher and educator shortage, we have to do more than just talk to our young people about teaching. Ed Rising gives students the resources they need to succeed. This is a fantastic way for students from across the state to make connections with fellow students, gain knowledge and skills and learn more about the teaching profession,” Educators Rising State Coordinator Lindsey Jensen said.

So far 400 students from more than 30 school districts are registered to attend. During the conference, students will connect with representatives from various Illinois colleges and universities and educational resource organizations. Students will attend breakout sessions. Topics include bilingual education, educator licensure, teaching using braille and sign language, and more. This year’s keynote speaker is Rachael Mahmood, Ph.D., 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and Illinois Education Association (IEA)member.

“Building a diverse teaching force begins by valuing our diverse student body. We must intentionally communicate to every aspiring teacher that their authentic identities enrich the field of education. By honoring their ‘why’—their motivation for choosing education—we foster connection, inspire growth and create a profession where every educator feels valued and supported, ensuring they not only join the profession, but also remain,” Mahmood said.

The conference is sponsored by the IEA, Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois State University College of Education, National Education Association, Aspiring Educators and the Illinois State Teachers of the Year.

“While there are many ways to address the educator shortage, supporting our future educators is critical,” said IEA President Al Llorens. “The success of Educators Rising over the years is a testament to the hard work of IEA members and their dedication to our public schools and communities in Illinois. Their expertise and encouragement is essential in developing the next generation of teachers.”Ěý

The Educators Rising conference will be held on Thurs., March 6 at the Bone Student Center (200 N. University St., Normal) on the Illinois State University campus. The day begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 3:30 p.m.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The flyer in question lists only one of the four candidates formally recommended by the coalition of St. Charles educator unions. The flyer notes it’s paid for by the ) associated with the fringe group Kane County Speaks.

The official candidates recommended by the union coalition are:

• Kate Bell
• Heidi Fairgrieve
• Jenna Hancock
• Kimberly Rich

“The spread of disinformation in this election undermines the integrity of the electoral process and distracts from the real issues at stake: the future of our schools and the well-being of our students. We urge the community to seek accurate information from trusted sources and to engage in respectful, fact-based discussions about the future of District 303,” SCEA President Jennifer Adam said.

SCEA, SCESP and SCT&M represent the more than 1,400 teachers, licensed staff, support staff, maintenance workers, custodians, grounds workers, and bus drivers currently working at the 15 schools in District 303. They serve the more than 11,500 students in the district.

“As educators and staff who dedicate our lives to the success of St. Charles students, we take seriously our responsibility to recommend candidates who are committed to the success of all learners, responsible financial stewardship and strong partnerships with families and staff. Our recommendation process is thorough, transparent and rooted in our shared vision for a thriving school district,” Adam said.

The union coalition encourages community members to seek accurate information and verify endorsements through trusted sources. Any implication that the unions support candidates beyond those officially recommended is false, misleading and absolutely wrong.

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The 135,000 member şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.