Category: Uncategorized

IEA is advocating for all members and bringing our voice to the legislative table.

• The State Budget
• FMLA-HB12 (Costa-Howard)-Greatly benefits ESPs by lowering hours to qualify
• Re-Calculation of SURS for adjunct professors-SB44 (Marwick)
• Fixing the loss of stipends due to COVID for people in the retirement pipeline
• Returning the TRS Board of Trustees to majority elected
• COVID issues (Benchmarks, Paid Sick Days, Testing in Schools)
• Strengthening Mentoring and Induction Program
• Address the Digital Divide
• Adjunct Professor Reloution-SJR2 (Martwick)
• ESP Resolution (Villivalam)-Lays the legislative ground work of the importance of ESPs in public education

The ESP Council with the support of IEA has drafted an ESP Resolution that brings to light the importance of ALL ESPs to the success and safety of our students, colleagues, and community with in public education.

Good luck, I hope your team wins!! 🙂

Congratulations to Debra Ward-Mitchell this year’s IEA ESP of the Year!

Debra is the president of local 205 Union of Support Staff in Region 27. She is the Assistant Director of District 205 Infant Care Center and works as a paraprofessional. The Center provides services for teen moms and dads. This is Debra’s 37th year in her district. Debra’s extensive advocacy for members throughout Illinois, association involvement, community engagement and personal achievement greatly raises and enhances the ESP image. We are proud to have Debra as our 2021 ESPOTY.

ESPs: Where do we go from here?
Intentional navigation to bridge the cultural divide

Time: February 16, 2021 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Attention all Education Support Professionals (“ESP”):
You are invited to attend the IEA ESP Council’s February roundtable where the discussion will be facilitated by Robert Powell, IEA ESP Council Member. Our commitment to equity and excellence in education requires the centering of cultural competence in all of our endeavors and utilizing a racial and social justice framework to support all students.
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/82175117512?pwd=dXJUUmI0VlJFNm53NG9DQnIybVZPdz09
Meeting ID: 821 7511 7512
Passcode: 704708

Is it your turn to represent our state?

There is no time like the present to become a delegate to the National Education Association Representative Assembly.

The most important part of being a member of an association like the Illinois Education Association is the ability to have one’s voice heard on a variety of issues that affect the working conditions of school employees and learning environments of students across this nation.

There are a lot of issues that ESPs are facing and work that needs to be done. The fact is that ESPs make up only about 4% of delegates who attend the NEA RA. We need you to join us to make our voices heard.

You should have received in the mail the IEA CONNECT that includes additional application information or you can complete forms online at www.ieanea.org/about/elections.

IEA Springtime Election Information

The ESP Council has openings on the council and are looking for energetic, reliable members to join our team.

Nominations will be accepted if received in the IEA-NEA president’s office by February 17, 2021. Go to www.ieanea.org/aboutelections for more information and to fill out a nomination for online.

This week IEA presented the next two year budget during virtual open hearings. The proposed budget includes a dues increase for both certified and ESPs. For full time ESPs the proposed budget increase is $9 for the first year and $11 per year for the second year. IEA’s proposed ESP dues increase is following IEA bylaws that states that full time ESP dues will be 1/2 of the rate of certified staff dues.

The ESP Council knows this is not the time for any dues increase for ESPs. This has been a very difficult year for so many. We are doing our best to advocate and search other options and alternatives to work around the IEA bylaws.

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So many great lessons from a great man!