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Big business wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us, to silence us, if we weren’t powerful. When our members realize they are the union and put the “POW” in POWER we will be unstoppable!

 

Join us for our monthly virtual team meeting where we collaborate to grow rESPect in our locals and communities. It will take ALL of us to change this moment into a MOVEMENT. See you this Thursday – 5:30-7:00pm. Register for link to join.

Your local bargaining group is legally entitled to receive from your district, staff rosters at least once a month with employee personal contact information to assist in organizing. AND

Union representatives are entitled to meet with new hires for up to one hour within 10 days without loss of pay, to discuss union business.

On Wednesday, July 22nd several ESPs, IEA President Karl Goeke, and IEA staff members met in Bloomington Illinois, to review campaign data and collaborate to set goals and priorities of rESPect for 2026-27. These priorities will support and empower you to activate and grow local membership and together we will build the strength we need to improve the working and living conditions of our members across Illinois. Click the link below and share with colleagues.

NEA RA Day Three:

6:15am – Steering meeting

7:30am – Illinois Caucus meeting start!

It was a long day filled with discussions and debates yesterday, July 4th as we ended the day on the representive floor at 7:00pm. We set the business framework, heard candidate speeches, and debated NEA Constitutional, Bylaw, and Standing Rule Amendments, AND started debating on New Business items.

I can’t say it was flawless, but those delegates here are doing a phenominal job advocating for you! ESPs are essential at every table where decisions are made in our schools/universities, communities, AND union!

NEA RA Day two:

Good morning!! It’s a great day to represent our members!

6:15am – Steering meeting

7:15am- Voting for NEA Resolutions Committee

7:30am – Illinois Caucus meeting start!

It is going to be a LONG day but it’s amazing how respectful and efficient the Illinois Caucus runs the business at hand! Imagine if educators made decisions in DC!

July 3rd – ESPs are in the house! The National Education Association Representative Assembly is being held in Denver, Colorado. Elected delegates from across the country are gathering to move important business to lead and direct the work of our union…to protect our students and members.

Whether you are able to attend in person or not…We are asking that you fill out a Witness Slip in support of House Bill 4416 (Unemployment Fairness Act) before committee on Wednesday, March 25th. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this week in Springfield! The instructions are below. Please reach out with any questions!

Click on Link to the HB4416 in Committee: https://ilga.gov/House/hearings/details/3063/22647/CreateWitnessSlip/?legislationId=165070&GaId=18&View=Create

Fill in all fields:

Identification: Firm/Business/Agency: This will be your local

Representation: Type SELF

Position: Choose Original Bill and Proponent

Testimony: Select Record of Appearance Only

Agree to the ILGA terms of Agreement

Click SUBMIT WITNESS SLIP

2026 Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly

This years RA was A-MAZ-ING! I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who helped plan, prepare, and support during this Representative Assembly! ESPs showed up, used their voices, and got business done.

You are invited to our next rESPect Campaign virtual meeting on April 9th from 5:30-7:00, where we will share and discuss this years Organizing Successes and Challenges, including a review of the events of Illinois Representative Assembly and ESP Lobby Day. We hope to see you there.

The workers that keep our schools running deserve better.

Join IEA and Illinois labor unions for a lobby day at the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield. We will meet with our lawmakers to advocate for the Unemployment Fairness Act and win unemployment insurance for Education Support Professionals! We will urge them to support HB 4416 and SB 3286.