Illinois Federation of Teachers
@iftaft.bsky.social
The IFT represents 103,000 teachers and PSRPs, faculty and staff at community colleges and universities, public employees, and retirees throughout Illinois.
Because of you all, it’s easy to be THANKFUL in a union.
What does being in a union mean to you? Tell us:
What does being in a union mean to you? Tell us:
Beinaunion | IFT
Being in a union means more than bargaining a contact – it’s about coming together to amplify diverse voices, protect our rights, and stand up for the common good.
www.ift-aft.org
November 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Because of you all, it’s easy to be THANKFUL in a union.
What does being in a union mean to you? Tell us:
What does being in a union mean to you? Tell us:
🤝 Join us – and please tag us if show your union solidarity in action next week on social media!
📝 If you can’t wait until then, tell your lawmakers now: fund our future:
📝 If you can’t wait until then, tell your lawmakers now: fund our future:
Gov Pritzker & IL General Assembly: Tax the Rich, Fully Fund Our Schools
Even before Donald Trump’s massive cuts to the Department of Education, SNAP, and other programs, Illinois was falling behind on the funding its schools and services need to provide world-class education to the state’s students. Add in the President’s attacks and school districts across the state are being put in an avoidable crisis that leaves students in special education without support and educators without the dignity they deserve. Governor Pritzker and the IL General Assembly can Trump-proof our state and protect Illinois’ students by taxing the rich and providing the funds promised but not delivered to our schools from pre-k to higher ed. Write your lawmaker today and tell them how families and communities are unfairly bearing the brunt of Trump’s cuts and Illinois’ backwards tax code that has working people paying more than billionaires. Illinois can and should be #1 in education.
actionnetwork.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
🤝 Join us – and please tag us if show your union solidarity in action next week on social media!
📝 If you can’t wait until then, tell your lawmakers now: fund our future:
📝 If you can’t wait until then, tell your lawmakers now: fund our future:
To us, that means fully staffed schools, well-resourced classrooms, more programs, lower tuition, and retirement security for public workers.
The way to get there is to finally tax the ultra-wealthy and demand that our state put people over profits and #fundourfuture.
The way to get there is to finally tax the ultra-wealthy and demand that our state put people over profits and #fundourfuture.
November 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
To us, that means fully staffed schools, well-resourced classrooms, more programs, lower tuition, and retirement security for public workers.
The way to get there is to finally tax the ultra-wealthy and demand that our state put people over profits and #fundourfuture.
The way to get there is to finally tax the ultra-wealthy and demand that our state put people over profits and #fundourfuture.
Take action!
Add your name to our public sign-on letter below, and call on university leaders to reject this compact.
Add your name to our public sign-on letter below, and call on university leaders to reject this compact.
Trump Higher Ed Compact 2025
We stand for education—for science, for students and for freedom—and against this backward, anti-American policy. We call on university leaders, faculty, staff and students to unite in rejecting the Trump compact and to defend the principle that no president has the right to buy obedience or sell off freedom.
actionnetwork.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Take action!
Add your name to our public sign-on letter below, and call on university leaders to reject this compact.
Add your name to our public sign-on letter below, and call on university leaders to reject this compact.
Currently, the federal government funds research based on peer review and scientific merit. Under the proposed Trump compact, it would make awards based on ideological fealty, weaponizing taxpayer money to undermine research and speech the current administration doesn’t like. ⬇️
November 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Currently, the federal government funds research based on peer review and scientific merit. Under the proposed Trump compact, it would make awards based on ideological fealty, weaponizing taxpayer money to undermine research and speech the current administration doesn’t like. ⬇️
Read a letter to the editor from West Suburban Teachers Union President Kyle Stern mapping out the ways in which we can raise revenue to ensure our students and communities have what they need.
www.dailyherald.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Read a letter to the editor from West Suburban Teachers Union President Kyle Stern mapping out the ways in which we can raise revenue to ensure our students and communities have what they need.
We will continue to fight for all our PSRPs to make sure that the state funds and districts allocate those funds in ways that build strong schools with thriving students.
Read their statement:
Read their statement:
Joliet Township HS PSRPs Avert Strike, Ratify New Three-Year Agreement
After averting a potential strike by reaching a tentative agreement last week with the Joliet Township High School Dist. 204 school board, the 108 members of the Joliet Township High School (JTHS) Paraprofessional Council of AFT Local 604 voted this afternoon to approve that agreement. Ninety-five members cast ballots, with a strong majority voting to ratify the three-year deal.
www.ift-aft.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
We will continue to fight for all our PSRPs to make sure that the state funds and districts allocate those funds in ways that build strong schools with thriving students.
Read their statement:
Read their statement:
JTHS Paraprofessionals and Security fought and won a better contract that will make a positive impact on hiring and show current staff that their work is valued.
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
JTHS Paraprofessionals and Security fought and won a better contract that will make a positive impact on hiring and show current staff that their work is valued.
Without it, the board of education was putting school safety at risk, refusing to prioritize student learning, and maintaining the dire status quo of understaffed schools not providing students enough support.
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Without it, the board of education was putting school safety at risk, refusing to prioritize student learning, and maintaining the dire status quo of understaffed schools not providing students enough support.
In an effort to surmount the challenges of high turnover, the council made it clear: we deserve a living wage, and the district has the funds on hand to make it happen.
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
In an effort to surmount the challenges of high turnover, the council made it clear: we deserve a living wage, and the district has the funds on hand to make it happen.
Let's commit to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and safely.
November 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Let's commit to creating a world where everyone can live authentically and safely.
You bring compassion, skill, and resilience to every challenge, and you do it all with a commitment that inspires us every single day.
Together, we will keep fighting for fairness, dignity, and respect for the workers who power our schools. #IFTStrong
Together, we will keep fighting for fairness, dignity, and respect for the workers who power our schools. #IFTStrong
November 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
You bring compassion, skill, and resilience to every challenge, and you do it all with a commitment that inspires us every single day.
Together, we will keep fighting for fairness, dignity, and respect for the workers who power our schools. #IFTStrong
Together, we will keep fighting for fairness, dignity, and respect for the workers who power our schools. #IFTStrong
PSRP work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is front and center in the lives of students and families. You are mentors, problem-solvers, protectors, and advocates.
November 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
PSRP work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is front and center in the lives of students and families. You are mentors, problem-solvers, protectors, and advocates.
Thank you for everything you do.
Read more from your IFT officers:
Read more from your IFT officers:
Today is PSRP Day
Dear IFT Members,Today is PSRP Day, and we are proud to honor the incredible Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel who keep our schools running and our students thriving. PSRPs are the leaders of our schools. You help to create culture and climate. You greet students every day, support them in classrooms, engage their families, keep buildings safe and clean, prepare meals, manage offices, and so much more. Each day, you show up with skill and care that makes a real difference in the liv
www.ift-aft.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Thank you for everything you do.
Read more from your IFT officers:
Read more from your IFT officers:
Each day, you show up with skill and care that makes a real difference in the lives of students and families.
Please take a moment to celebrate and recognize your PSRP coworkers. Together, we make schools stronger. Together, we make communities stronger.
Please take a moment to celebrate and recognize your PSRP coworkers. Together, we make schools stronger. Together, we make communities stronger.
November 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Each day, you show up with skill and care that makes a real difference in the lives of students and families.
Please take a moment to celebrate and recognize your PSRP coworkers. Together, we make schools stronger. Together, we make communities stronger.
Please take a moment to celebrate and recognize your PSRP coworkers. Together, we make schools stronger. Together, we make communities stronger.