Higher Ed Lobby Day April 9, PreK-12 Lobby Day April 30
Join colleagues and organization partners in Springfield April 9 to tell your legislators what's important in higher education. Visit the IEA Web site for a video on talking points and learn what to expect when in the state capitol.
Wednesday, April 30 will be here before you know it. Plan now to ride the bus to Springfield. Contact your region office for more information or visit the IEA Web site today.
IEA fights fund sweep proposal
A proposal to allow Gov. Blagojevich to "sweep" money from a variety of special funds to pay for his priorities is languishing in the Illinois House, where it is being watched carefully by IEA leaders and lobbyists.
HB 473 would let the governor divert up to $530 million from special funds, including the fund that supports the Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP), which provides retired teachers with health insurance.
"IEA remains absolutely opposed to the sweeping of any education related fund, including and especially TRIP," said IEA President Ken Swanson.
House Speaker Michael Madigan seems very unlikely to sign off on the governor's scheme to sweep funds to generate money for his priorities. Subscribe to the Capitol Report for the latest information from Illinois capitol.
Meanwhile, IEA supports the new school funding proposal from Sen. James Meeks. Click here for more information on SB 2288.
Need 'people' to complete your taxes?
NEA Member Benefits offers a discount through H & R Block to get your taxes done. If you've been putting off filing, now is the time to take advantage of this great offer. While on the NEA MB Web site be sure to register to win the American Express gift card or Hertz car rental certificate. Just click the Free Giveaways tab.
We've got what you're looking for
From coupons for fast-food to discounts for weight-loss programs, you can save $$$ with your IEA-NEA membership card. Just log on to the IEA Web site, scroll down and click on the membership card icon, enter your member ID on the card that looks like your membership card and click "go."
Teachers, Act Today and cash in at DonorsChoose.org
The first 100 teachers who submit a proposal by April 11 that is less than $400 but more than $100 will have their project fully funded thanks to DonorsChoose.org.
Who's eligible? IEA teacher members who have never used DonorsChoose.org, and IEA teacher members who have an account on DonorsChoose.org but who have never submitted a proposal. Teachers who have already submitted a proposal are not eligible.
To be sure that DonorsC insider040808.html hoose.org can accurately track the submission of the first 100 projects, e-mail neeta@donorschoose.org as soon as you have submitted your proposal. Type "IEA incentive -- proposal submitted" in the subject line of your e-mail. If you don't send this e-mail right after you've submitted your proposal, DonorsChoose.org won't be able to fully fund it. Please note that it will take up to 10 days for your project to be posted and funded. |