Illinois Teachers Unions

The Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) are the two major teachers’ unions in Illinois. Each labor union plays a significant role in advocating for education policy and educators’ rights. The IEA represents over 135,000 members, while the IFT supports around 103,000 education professionals. Both organizations address key issues like teacher shortages, pension sustainability, and the influence of political contributions on education policy throughout the state.

Illinois Education Association (IEA)

Leadership

  • President: Al Llorens
  • Vice President: Karl Goeke
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Gina Harris

Organization
The Illinois Education Association (IEA) is the state’s largest teachers’ union, representing over 135,000 members, including teachers, support staff, and higher education faculty. The IEA advocates for educators’ rights, working to improve salaries, benefits, and working conditions through collective bargaining and education policy efforts. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and an Executive Committee.

Member Dues
The IEA employs a graduated dues structure, categorizing members into ten bands based on their prior year’s reported earnings to the applicable retirement system. This approach aims to ensure that dues are proportionate to income in order to promote fairness among members.

Meetings
The Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly meets every spring. Other IEA committees may host more frequent meetings or conferences as needed.

Requirements
To join the IEA, prospective members must be employed in education in Illinois. This includes teachers, education support professionals, or higher education faculty. Membership is usually obtained through a local IEA affiliate based on the person’s school district or institution. Members pay annual dues that fund essential services, including collective bargaining, legal support, and professional development opportunities.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros: The IEA offers strong collective bargaining for better salaries, benefits, and working conditions, along with legal support, professional development, and advocacy on key education issues.
  • Cons: IEA membership requires the cost of annual dues, which may be a financial consideration for some members. Members might feel limited in their influence on union decisions, as policies and actions are often determined by collective bargaining and local affiliates.

Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT)

Leadership

  • President: Daniel J. Montgomery
  • Executive Vice President: Stacy Davis Gates
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Jane Russell

Organization
The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) is a statewide labor union representing educators and other public service professionals across Illinois. With more than 200 local unions, the IFT advocates for better working conditions, salaries, and benefits for its members, including teachers, nurses, and support staff.

The federation also provides legal support, professional development resources, and works on education policy issues at the state and national levels. Through collective bargaining and political advocacy, the IFT strives to improve education and public services for both its members and the communities they serve.

Member Dues
The IFT’s dues structure is determined by each local union, with a portion allocated to the state federation and the national American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Dues amounts can vary based on the member’s role and the policies of the local union.

Meetings
The union holds an annual convention where delegates from local chapters set policies, elect officers, and discuss key issues. The IFT’s Executive Board also meets regularly to oversee the organization’s activities and address member concerns.

Requirements
To join the IFT, you must work in education or related public services in the state of Illinois. Membership is typically obtained through a local IFT affiliate depending on the prospective members’ workplace or profession. Members are required to pay dues, which support activities like collective bargaining, legal assistance, and professional development.

Recent Activity
Illinois Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Spend A Lot, But Not On Teachers

Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Membership offers collective bargaining power, legal support, professional development opportunities, and a platform for advocacy on educational and public service issues.
  • Cons: Members are required to pay dues, and some may feel that the union’s political activities do not align with their personal views.

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