Category: Uncategorized

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 >

Please sign the petition to help support educators in Illinois and the students in their classrooms, on their buses, in their cafeterias and elsewhere in keeping them safe by finally putting enforcement measures in place.

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.

The election closes at 4 p.m. TODAY, April 28! If you did not receive your online voting information or have questions, contact IEA Governance Elections Paraprofessional Kim Trader by email or phone at 217-321-2250. PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE – YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

 

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

Did You Know?

IEA/NEA HAS AN EARLY ENROLLMENT CAMPAIGN: THEORY OF CHANGE

The Early Enrollment Membership Program is offered to support spring or summer membership organizing efforts by inviting First-Time Active members and Aspiring Educators to experience the transformative impact of being part of the Association for no immediate cost. Between April 1 – August 31 educators can join without paying dues until the new school year starts.

First-time Active or new Aspiring Educator recruits will become members effective September 1 and receive immediate access to NEA Educators Employment Liability Program coverage (liability insurance) and NEA Member Benefits programs.

A. Powerful Incentive: 

1. No Cost. Between April 1 and August 31, 2021

2. Limited Eligibility. Early enrollment is limited to recruits for the 2021-22 membership year who are either: 

a. First-time Active member beginning September 1, 2021 or 

b. New NEA Aspiring Educator(Student) Program recruits 

B. Additional Benefits Early enrollees have access to an array of NEA Member Benefits programs. For a comprehensive look at all the programs and services NEA Member Benefits offers early enrollees, visit www.neamb.com/earlyenrollee.

C. Start Date for Benefits Access to NEA EEL Program benefits will begin no earlier than April 1, 2021.

Important Note: Before early enrollees will be granted access to qualified NEA Member Benefits programs, the state affiliate must first process the early enrollment forms and add new enrollees to the affiliate membership database. 
For more information on IEA/NEA Early Enrollment Campaign, visit https://www.nea.org/resource-library/early-enrollment-campaign