The IEA is your link to education jobs in Illinois. That’s especially important right NOW! IEA and NEA’s successful state and national lobbying efforts have resulted in passage of the Education Jobs Fund.  Congress listened and the U.S. House today authorized $10 billion in emergency funds for the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act — legislation [...]

IEA is recommending Gov. Pat Quinn and his running mate Sheila Simon for the top jobs in Illinois state government. Â According to IEA President Ken Swanson, it is crucial to the future of public education in Illinois that the Quinn-Simon ticket be elected. Â “There never has been a more clear-cut choice for governor [...]

Have you filled out the pension survey? The deadline is noon Friday.  As part of its ongoing effort to repeal laws that reduce retirement benefits for education employees, NEA has commissioned a survey on the Government Pension Offset (GPO) or Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).  While the anecdotal evidence of the devastating impact is strong, [...]

IEA representatives participated in news conferences in eight Illinois cities on Tuesday, telling legislators: “When you come back to Springfield, pass a budget that funds the services Illinoisans want and need.”  The events were sponsored by the Responsible Budget Coalition, whose 200 member-organizations include IEA, IFT, AFSCME and Voices for Illinois Children.  Read the reports [...]

All IEA members are urged to contact their state representatives immediately.  Tell your representative to oppose SB 2494 – the voucher bill that will divert $100 million state taxpayer dollars to private schools in Chicago. Go to the IEA website for more information and to contact your legislators. IEA has responded to recent editorials in [...]

Race to the Top, RtI, budget cuts, pending pension legislation, school testing, IEA Lobby Day. Are you overwhelmed yet? Rest assured – IEA is keeping tabs on the issues, programs and legislation important to you. Stay informed with us by reading the insider, Capitol Report, website, facebook and twitter. Quinn proposes tax increase for education [...]

With just one week to go until the primary election, the IEA-recommended candidates for governor are leading their respective races by thin margins; Comptroller Dan Hynes has inched in front of Gov. Pat Quinn in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, while, on the Republican side, State Sen. Kirk Dillard leads. President Swanson has [...]

Illinoisans go to the polls on Feb. 2 and there are plenty of urgent issues that the people who survive the primary election will be campaigning on in the General Election. School funding, pensions, a budget deficit of nearly $13 billion that, unless addressed with a tax increase, could result in massive cuts to public [...]

Dec. 17 is the deadline to submit electronic photos of your favorite holiday attire. We know our members are the most festive. Show us your holiday spirit! The winner will be chosen by a student panel of judges and will receive a $25 Staples gift card. Don’t delay – click here to submit your entry. [...]

Dec. 17 is the deadline to submit electronic photos of your favorite holiday attire. We know our members are the most festive. Show us your holiday spirit! The winner will be chosen by a student panel of judges and will receive a $25 Staples gift card. Don’t delay – click here to submit your entry. [...]