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House Bill 2778 creates COVID administrative days for school employees and includes paycheck protection for hourly employees. SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to ensure the passage of House Bill 2778 (HB2778), the School Employee Benefit and Wage Protection Bill,…

SPRINGFIELD – The following statement is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin: “Today’s announcement of the two-week deadline extension on the governor’s Executive Order on vaccines is welcome news. We have said all along that the best place for students to be is in the classroom, as…

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery and Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin issued the joint statement welcoming Governor Pritzker’s vaccine mandate announcement for educators and school staff. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, our unions have worked hard to protect students, teachers, staff, and…

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association is thankful that Gov. JB Pritzker put into effect a “mask required” order for schools starting this fall. The pandemic is not over. The numbers in Illinois are going in the wrong direction. We need to keep our students in the classroom and keep…

SPRINGFIELD – The following statement is attributable to Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin: “The health and safety of students, their families and our members are the most important things to consider during this worldwide pandemic. As we’ve seen over the past 16 months, conditions are ever evolving. Unfortunately, cases…

CRYSTAL LAKE – Two IEA members were special guests of President Joe Biden when he made his appearance at McHenry County College last week. Karen Shuman, president of the McHenry County College Adjunct Faculty Association, and Mike Sayre, a member of the High School District 155 Education Association, were able…

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association released the following statement attributable to IEA President Kathi Griffin: “We are very excited that the Illinois Department of Public Health has decided to adopt the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance for schools. Both agencies are correct that vaccines are the best way to keep…

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and the governor’s office to ensure the passage of several pieces of pro-public education legislation during the 2020-2021 legislative session in Springfield. “The COVID-19 pandemic made this year incredibly difficult for Illinoisans, especially for…

SPRINGFIELD – House Bill 816 (HB816) passed both the House and the Senate and is now headed to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for his signature. HB816 is backed by the IEA and was introduced this session after an Illinois Supreme Court decision last spring. HB816 would allow educators, both men…

SPRINGFIELD – House Bill 12 (HB 12) passed the Senate. The bill now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for his signature. The legislation was drafted by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and sponsored by Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard). HB 12 expands coverage of the Family and Medical Leave…

SPRINGFIELD – House Bill 12 passed out of committee and is now poised for passage in the Senate. The legislation was drafted by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and would expand coverage of the Family and Medical Leave Act to thousands of education support professionals across the state. “This bill…

SPRINGFIELD – The following statement is attributable to IEA President Kathi Griffin: “We are glad to see Gov. J.B. Pritzker look toward increasing the evidence-based funding (EBF) for schools to the recommended $350 million after seeing an increase in revenue this year. Our state is woefully behind in how it funds…

SPRINGFIELD – Today the Illinois Education Association (IEA) released the following statement regarding the Derek Chauvin guilty verdict. The following is attributable to IEA President Kathi Griffin: “Everyone wants to be safe in their community – no matter where they live, no matter the color of their skin. The jury’s…

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) is continuing its fight in the Illinois legislature to protect working parents. House Bill 816 (HB816) is backed by the IEA and was introduced this session after an Illinois Supreme Court decision last spring. HB816 would allow educators to take their birth leave…

SPRINGFIELD – Today Illinois Education Association (IEA) released a statement on the police shooting death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. The following is attributable to IEA President Kathi Griffin: “Our hearts are with the family of Adam Toledo and all those who loved him. For a family, the pain of losing…

Poll shows impacts of COVID-19 on public schools and also highlights concerns around teacher shortage SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Education Association (IEA) today released its third annual State of Education report, the only bipartisan poll asking Illinoisans about all aspects of public schools. There is a teacher shortage and the…

SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) announced IEACOVIDTracker.org, an online tool where educators in more than 950 IEA locals can now report outbreaks, safety issues, check for outbreaks reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health and share stories of what it’s like to be an educator during…

SPRINGFIELD – The following statement is attributable to Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin: “We appreciate that the governor is willing to look at a variety of ways to continue the state’s funding obligations by closing tax loopholes rather than increasing taxes on all struggling families and we urge state…

SPRINGFIELD – Today the Illinois Education Association (IEA) released the following statements on the death of Karen Lewis: The following statement is attributable to former IEA President Ken Swanson: “I’m very saddened to learn of Karen Lewis’ passing. Karen was a tenacious advocate for teachers, support staff and students. She…

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) announce their support for the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Standings (CRTLS), a rule change before the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The change was proposed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and…