IEA Higher Education Council

This weekend , the Higher Education Council met for its annual retreat in Edwardsville, IL. We had a great time connecting with members and future members from SIU-E and Lewis and Clark Community College. Pictured here setting up for an organizing picnic.

Webinar: What Educators Need to Know About New Title IX Rules; Thursday, June 6, 4-5 p.m. ET

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Education, recently released important new regulations. The new rule goes into effect on August 1, 2024, so that school districts can put in place new policies and procedures for the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
Leaders, advocates and activists are invited to join the discussion about the new rules on Thursday, June 6, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET by registering here:
https://nea-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jNXQ1MAOSAGr-DJQ59-PUQ #/registration.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to join the webinar on Zoom.

Sign the petition!!!

It’s Tier 2 Tuesday! In a historic display of solidarity with educators, cicadas are emerging after 13 and 17 years underground to raise their voice and call for lawmakers to undo Tier 2 and fix our state retirement system. ALL educators should be able to retire with dignity. Sign our petition if you agree: bit.ly/UndoTier2petition
Let us know in the comments if you have signed and TAG THREE FRIENDS who should sign with you!

It’s Tier 2 Tuesday! In a historic display of solidarity with educators, cicadas are emerging after 13 and 17 years underground to raise their voice and call for lawmakers to undo Tier 2 and fix our state retirement system. ALL educators should be able to retire with dignity. Sign our petition if you agree: bit.ly/UndoTier2petition

Let us know in the comments if you have signed and TAG THREE FRIENDS who should sign with you!

Sign the petition (and share with your locals!).

It's ! When you add your name to our petition, you are raising your voice with thousands of educators across Illinois. Let’s make sure they hear us in Springfield. Sign your name: bit.ly/UndoTier2petition

Public Leadership Forum

If you are interested in a leadership role in your community, you will want to check out IEA's new Public Leadership Forum website which provides a space for members to connect, share resources and support one another.

Public Leadership Forum | Illinois Education Association We are excited to announce the launch of the IEA Public Leadership Forum! This Forum will be for IEA Members who are, have been or aspire to be locally elected or appointed leaders in their communities. In other words, YOU!

Congratulations to Antonio Vasquez, re-elected to the SURS Board. Alas, the second candidate recommended by IEA, Randall Miller, was not elected.

Thanks to everyone who voted in the SURS election! For more information, visit

SURS 2024 Trustee Election - Watch for upcoming election information - SURS SURS 2024 Trustee Election – Watch for upcoming election information TRUSTEES TO BE ELECTED Three active-member trustees One annuitant/retired trustee On May 1, 2024, SURS members will elect three active-member trustees and one annuitant trustee. The voting period for the election will take place ...

Happy International Day of the Worker. What are you doing to mark May Day?

If you work in the public sector, or if you have in the past, fill out the PSLF form today! It's 2 pages long. Send it in, and FSA will tell you if you are eligible or if you need to complete other steps or paperwork.

Even if you don't think you are eligible, or at some point were ineligible, persist, because the rules are evolving.

Seehttps://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/public-service-application-for-forgiveness.pdf

Pamela Lessner I've been part of City Colleges of Chicago for nearly a decade now, but I’m a career librarian and have experience in various public and school libraries.

April is Community College month!

Back in March, Gov. Pritzker signed a proclamation designating April 2024 as Illinois Community College Month.

The Illinois Education Association has locals at most of Illinois’ 48 community colleges, from McHenry County College in the north, to Shawnee College in the south, from Carl Sandburg in the west, to Danville in the east.

For ongoing news about all of the community colleges,
check out the Illinois Community College Board’s page. https://www.facebook.com/illinoiscommunitycolleges

Illinois Community College Board Illinois is home to 48 community colleges which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective edu

Undo Tier 2 Call to Action! Please see the information below and take action next week. For more information, visit https://ieanea.org/undo-tier-two/

We support the United Staff of Columbia College.

“As members of the United Staff of Columbia College, we are profoundly troubled by the college’s intention to dismiss nearly 25% of our unionized staff. To address this, we have submitted a petition, signed by our members, urging the administration to rethink the planned layoffs and explore alternative solutions to the budgetary challenges.”
The dedicated staff members at Columbia are essential to providing students with a quality education and preparing them for their futures. Solidarity with United Staff of Columbia College!

Op-Ed: Beyond layoffs, seeking sustainable solutions for Columbia’s future   As members of the United Staff of Columbia College, we are profoundly troubled by the college’s intention to dismiss nearly 25% of our unionized staff. To address this, we have submitted a petition, signed by our members, urging the administration to rethink the planned layoffs and explore alte...

Shout out to our favorite paraprofessional, Frank Brooks!

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LAST DAY TO VOTE IN THE SURS ELECTION-if you haven’t voted yet, VOTE NOW!
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If you are an active SURS participant, you will soon be receiving election materials from the State University Retirement System regarding elections of SURS trustees. With the support of IEA members filling out nomination petitions, Randall Miller, president of the adjunct faculty local at City Colleges of Chicago (CCCLOC) will appear on the ballot.

You are urged to vote for Randy, along with IFT nominee Antonio Vasquez.

SURS will be sending out ballots, via email and USPS, to “active SURS members” (i.e. those currently employed by a public state university or community college) on April 1. The election ends on May 1.

Active SURS members will have the right to vote for TWO candidates, so please support the union candidates to advocate for your interests. After all, SURS is the pension system which deducts your money from every paycheck from a SURS institution.

Enjoy your Spring Break!

Tell Us About an Outstanding NEA Higher Ed Member that You Know!
Do you have a colleague who excels in their professional practice, participates in their union, and engages in their community? Sounds like you know a potential NEA Higher Educator of the Year!
Nominate a Colleague at

Smartsheet Forms

Higher education members from CODAA AND CODFA on the floor at the 2024 IEA RA. Photo credit Keith Yearman Pictured left to right CODAA president Cheryl Caplan CODAA interim vice president Susan Purcell and CODFA member Mary Konkel.

Attention Higher Ed RA delegates! Please like and share this post!

At the IEA Representative Assembly (RA) March 14-16, as usual, the Higher Education Council will have an open hearing on Thursday morning (11:15 a.m. in International F).

Higher Ed RA Delegates are also invited to attend the council’s luncheon during the Friday lunch break (Heathrow A/B). Candidates for council seats and sectional representatives will be on hand to address delegates.

However, it’s not only delegates to the RA who vote on these seats – everyone who’s a member of a higher education local will get a ballot!

Finally, the Higher Education Council will be looking for volunteers to take short shifts at the higher ed table at the RA. If you’re interested, please contact Vivian Zimmerman or Frank Brooks. We need volunteers during the day on Thursday and Friday.

Fill out a slip!

Congratulations to the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association at SIU-E for their successful effort to keep potential new hires in their bargaining unit. Led by local president Michele Lorenzini and UD Rachel Tollett, the local negotiated an MOU with the University to ensure that postdocs hired in the future would be unit members.

The U of I Labor Studies Program is hosting a webinar about the passage of IEA’s collective bargaining bill, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA). President Al Llorens will join as a guest panelist. Tune in virtually on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 6:30-8 p.m. forms.illinois.edu/sec/850670015

IEA President Al Llorens responds to today's budget address:

Happy President's Day! --to Anitra and all IEA Higher Ed local presidents!

Happy President’s Day! Today we’re shouting out some local presidents who are doing AMAZING work in their locals. First up: Anitra King, President of Support Staff of Elgin Community College Association (SSECCA).

Anitra fights hard for her members. In everything she does, she makes sure that communication is transparent, information is accessible and her membership is informed. SSECCA is currently in negotiations and she is fighting for a contract that reflects the VALUE of her members. Anitra sticks to her guns no matter what. In her various leadership positions over the years, she has worked hard to make sure her members get the respect they deserve.

Thank you, Anitra, for all you do! Solidarity with SSECCA!

Wishing fellow workers a happy valentine's day!

Check out NEA member Benefits for all of its offerings.

We extend our continued appreciation to educators!

Your dedication to nurturing curiosity and fostering discovery in students is paramount in shaping a brighter future.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to empowering young minds.

Equity for ESPs!

CESPA ESPs Require an Equitable Living Wage - please read on and share.