IEA ‘In the News’
- Columbia College Chicago lays off more than one-third of its professional staffPetition calls on administration to stop layoffs, warning students’ education will suffer CHICAGO – Professional staff at Columbia College Chicago submitted a 150-signature petition to President Kwang-Wu Kim, urging the administration to halt the scheduled layoffs of employees and asking it to explore alternative budget management strategies. The Columbia College administration laid off 331 staff members... […]
- Illinois Education Association honors Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and former co- director of Citizen Action/IllinoisSPRINGFIELD – Today the Illinois Education Association (IEA) honored Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and William McNary for their commitment to public education. Welch was honored with the IEA “Friend of Education.” McNary was awarded the IEA “President’s” award. The following statements are attributable to IEA President Al Llorens: “To say Speaker Chris Welch... […]
- Illinois Education Association honors educators from around the stateSPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) awarded seven educators from around the state for their outstanding commitment to their schools, students, communities and public education. 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... […]
- Nursing program will provide much needed healthcare to South Side residentsCHICAGO – City Colleges of Chicago and University of Chicago have partnered to bring a nursing program, known as the Malcom X College Learning Center, to the City Colleges’ Kennedy King campus on the southside of Chicago. The new center is expected to open for the 2026-27 school year and will be located on Garfield Boulevard between... […]
- Illinoisans believe teaching is harder than ever, support fixesSPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Education Association (IEA) will release its sixth annual IEA State of Education report on Tues., March 12, the only bipartisan poll monitoring Illinoisans’ views on all aspects of public schools. The findings will be shared during a news conference today on Zoom at 10 a.m. The poll results show Illinoisans believe all... […]
- Hundreds of educators, students and school administrators to attend Educators Rising conferenceThe gathering is geared toward enhancing the education profession. NORMAL – Today, more than 700 high school students, teachers and school officials will meet in Bloomington to help encourage potential teachers and enhance the careers of current educators. It’s all part of the fourth annual Educators Rising conference. “Everyone is talking about the teacher shortage,... […]
- IEA applauds Gov. Pritzker’s focus on early childhood education, urges him to support paid student teachingSPRINGFIELD – Today Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his annual budget address. The following statement is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Al Llorens: “We were encouraged to hear the governor hopes to increase the amount of money spent on early childhood education by an additional $150 million. We know that educating students earlier helps... […]
- IEA recommends Michael Crawford, Ph.D., for Illinois House District 31SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Political Action Committee for Education (IPACE) voted to recommend Michael Crawford, Ph.D., for the Illinois House of Representatives District 31. The following statement is attributable to Illinois Education Association (IEA) President and IPACE Chairman Al Llorens: “IPACE recommends Michael Crawford for Illinois House District 31 because of his commitment to fixing the... […]
- Abe Lincoln Chapter of IEA-Retired offers scholarship for students pursuing degree in educationSPRINGFIELD – The Abe Lincoln Chapter of the Illinois Education Association (IEA) retired teachers is sponsoring the Sharon Miller Memorial Scholarship for graduating seniors or college students who are majoring in education. Recipients will receive a $1000 scholarship. Seniors or graduates from the following districts are eligible to apply: Athens, Auburn, Edinburg, Glenwood Chatham, Greenview,... […]
- Lowest paid employees hit with financial double whammy just before holiday breakTuscola paraprofessionals plan to speak at board of education meeting TUSCOLA – The Tuscola Community Unit School District 301 Board of Education (BOE) rescinded the district’s contribution to the Tuscola Education Support Professional Association’s (TESPA) health savings account (HSA) contributions and also abruptly canceled a long-standing, annual holiday bonus. The administration’s decisions are effectively canceling more... […]
- Former Executive Director of the Illinois Education Association dies, fondly rememberedSPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association is deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Clay Marquardt, who served as executive director of the IEA from 1993 to 2005. His career at the IEA began in 1971. Our hearts go out to Marquardt’s family during this time of sorrow. The following can be attributed to... […]
- Negotiations stall, Westville teachers, support staff and community members plan to pack board meeting, call for a fair contractWESTVILLE – Dozens of Westville Education Association (WEA) members, along with parents and other community members, plan to wear red and pack the Westville Community Unit School District 2 board meeting Wednesday night. WEA and District 2 are now in federal mediation and have been bargaining since January. The first mediation session ended with no... […]
- IEA calls for continued cease fire in GazaSPRINGFIELD – Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Al Llorens issued the following statement in response to the conflict in Gaza: “The Illinois Education Association (IEA) supports a permanent truce in Gaza, the release of any hostages and a resolution to the ongoing violence. Both sides have agreed to a four-day truce and a two-day extension to... […]
- Kewanee teachers and staff secure new contractThe new agreement provides historic wage increases, back pay and addresses the teacher shortage KEWANEE – After more than six months and the help of a federal mediator, the Kewanee Education Association negotiations team and Kewanee Community Unit School District 229 Board of Education have accepted a new contract. “We are proud of the work... […]
- Columbia College Chicago lays off more than one-third of its professional staff