IEA Education Support Professional Council

Our push to fix Tier 2 is entering a pivotal time as the Illinois General Assembly returns to Springfield for the “lame duck” session. Lawmakers need to hear from us directly that the time to fix the broken Tier 2 system is NOW. 

On Mon., Jan. 6, join public employees from across Illinois as we call state lawmakers and demand they pass the Fair Retirement and Recruitment Act!

All you need to do is call (938) 800-0430 on Mon., Jan. 6 to be connected with your legislator. Then, tell them to pass the Fair Retirement and Recruitment Act (House Bill 5909/Senate Bill 3988) during the lame duck session. Public service employees cannot wait for Springfield to fix the mess they created with the broken Tier 2 system.

If you have questions or need more information, please email weareone@ilafl-cio.org. Thank you for your work to fix Tier 2!

Empower Your Staff to Better Address Challenging Behavior

Join the ESP council for a roundtable discussion. Topic: 321 Insight and other free Professional Development that is available. At 321 Insight, we help K-12 staff meet growing student needs by providing bite-sized, relevant, and engaging job-specific PD.

The IEA Racial & Social Justice department invites you to join our upcoming virtual book study of “Punished for Dreaming” by Dr. Bettina Love. Together, we’ll explore stories that shed light on the profound impact of systemic inequalities in education and discuss how we, as a community that supports excellence and equity in education, can help transform these insights into actionable change. There are many ways to support the movement!

• Apply to be a facilitator
  • Here is a link for frequently asked questions for facilitators.
• Register to participate
  • Here is a link for frequently asked questions for participants.
  • 2.0 PD Clock hours are available for each week of full attendance for IEIN holders
• Share this email content with others that you believe would like to engage in the conversation and grow as an equity leader
• Share the book study postcards at your upcoming staff and/or member meetings
• Interested in hosting a social & racial justice training? Email: iearsj@ieanea.org
• Everyone is invited – staff, leaders, members, community partners, etc. Please share widely!
• For IEA Members Only: First 100 that commit at the abolitionist level will receive the book for FREE!

Breaking news from the U.S. Senate, as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has teed up a vote on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, as early as Monday to once and for all fully repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)!  As you know, repealing these unfair penalties that take away earned Social Security benefits from millions of educators, first responders, and other public service workers has been an NEA priority for 40 years. Now, thanks to your incredible advocacy and that of our members, we are on the cusp of history. But we have to close out strong.

Every single senator needs to hear from you and your members right now that they need to vote yes on H.R. 82 next week. (We expect multiple rounds of votes, with the first procedural or cloture vote needing 60 to advance). Senators who are co-sponsors need to hear from you. Senators from fully impacted states need to hear from you. Senators who have not co-sponsored the Social Security Fairness Act need to hear from you.

A reminder that the House passed H.R. 82 by a vote of 327 – 75 in November. This bill has broad bipartisan support and the time to finish the job is now.

Flood the Senate phone lines! We have 3 ways you and your members can call your senators:

The URL: www.nea.org/SSFairness

• the QR Code (attached)
• dialing 1-844-912-1779 (graphic attached)

Let’s keep up the pressure until the final vote. We are on the verge of history for our members – current retirees and future retirees. And repealing these penalties will make it easier to recruit and retain future educators too. Help us end 2024 with an incredible win.

“December: A month of lights, snow, coziness, and feasts; time to make amends and tie up loose ends; finish what you started and make your wishes come true.” — Unknown

“Just because thins are the way they are, doesn’t mean they are the way they are supposed to be.” – NEA President Becky Pringle

We can wait for magic to happen or we can make our own. It’s time to be the change and make the change we deserve. If you haven’t yet joined the rESPect Campaign or attended one of our meetings please do so!

We meet virtually on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:00.

Your IEA ESP Council

#ieaespcouncil #iearESPect

We need your feedback

We are conducting a brief survey to assess the mentoring and professional growth opportunities available to our Education Support Professionals (ESP) members within the school district and beyond. Your feedback is crucial in helping us better support and enhance our professional and leadership growth opportunities for ESPs. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.