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Student Debt Advocacy

Hello, No matter who we are or how much we make, we should all have the opportunity to learn without limits. But the astronomical cost of higher education—even public higher education—forces many students to either forego their dreams or be trapped in a lifetime of debt. The student debt crisis is not accidental—it is working exactly as lawmakers, banks, and loan servicers intended.  Immediate and broad cancellation of federal student loan debt is a necessary step to ensure we all can thrive—no exceptions. 

We’re coming together—educators, activists, and students—for an important briefing on how we can win student debt cancellation. Sign up to join us Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET!Hear about the actions the Biden Administration has taken so far to address education debt with fairness and justice at the forefront—and the road ahead. Learn how by choosing education debt cancellation, policymakers can undo years of bad decisions that have denied opportunities to Black, brown, and Indigenous students for far too long. Find ways that educators, students, advocates, and allies are joining together to access new tools and raise our voices to rewrite the rules so all of us can thrive.  RSVP here to attend this important briefing on Thursday, May 13.

See you on Thursday!  

The NEA EdJustice Team  

Sign up to join us ›
Power Mapping 101 - NEA EdJustice
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Bargaining and Advocacy in the Face of Crisis

The May webinar offers a learning opportunity for those who engage for ESP in bargaining or meet and confer. As we deal with the COVID crisis and its aftermath on the livelihood of our ESP, you will find this webinar useful. This webinar may be shared with general membership.

Bargaining and Advocacy in the Face of Crisis

May 13, 2021
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. EST 6:00-7:30 p.m. CT

The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly become the worst crisis we have ever faced in our lifetime. ESPs, students, and communities have been hit with staggering issues, many that were unthinkable before. Now, more than ever, ESPs have been forced to bargain and advocate as if their lives, and those of which they care for, depend on it, because it literally may.

This webinar will focus on becoming better prepared as a union to tackle issues brought upon through crisis, such as protecting ESP careers and advocating for health and safety issues, as well as providing practical skills and resources that can make the union more effective advocates. This session was offered at the 2021 NEA ESP National Conference.

Register >

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Unfortunate Update from Legal Services and Government Relations:

A number of local leaders and field staff have asked IEA Legal Services and IEA Government Relations whether the expansion in unemployment benefit eligibility, which allowed many ESPs to qualify for IDES benefits during summer 2020, will be in place for summer 2021.  The answer, unfortunately, is “no”. The change in unemployment benefit eligibility was temporary in nature and expired on December 31, 2020.  Should the Illinois General Assembly take any action that impacts unemployment benefit eligibility for summer 2021, we will provide notice of the changes in a subsequent update.

If this information changes we will notify you ASAP.

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Tomorrow-April’s ESP Roundtable Discussion

Time: April 24, 2021 10:00 – 11:30 am, Central Time (US and Canada)

Attention all Education Support Professionals (“ESP”):

You are invited to attend the IEA ESP Council’s April roundtable where the discussion will be facilitated by the IEA ESP Council. The discussion will be regarding the IEA Representative Assembly and NEA ESP Conference – what we learned, what we know, and where do we go from here?

Please join us as we learn, discover, and advocate for ESP throughout Illinois. Your ESP Council is here to support you during this trying time and beyond. If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit http://www.ieaespcouncil.com.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86524880743?pwd=L09ndjRYaTB1d3FsL05JMHZMTks3UT09

Meeting ID: 865 2488 0743 Passcode: 492551 One tap mobile +13126266799,,86524880743#,,,,*492551# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,86524880743#,,,,*492551# US (New York)

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 865 2488 0743 Passcode: 492551 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbkoEdS0qN