Today, we represent a broad spectrum of professionals in five membership divisions as well as retirees. Each of the sections include constituency-specific information and resources to help you achieve your professional aspirations—and be an important part of a the union.
IFT Teachers
IFT Teachers is the largest segment of the union's membership, representing teachers in school districts throughout Illinois. Among the major issues that the IFT Teacher division focuses on: creating and administering professional development opportunities; developing and implementing classroom and school improvements; boosting teacher quality; and promoting higher standards and better assessments.
IFT PSRPs (paraprofessionals and school-related personnel)
IFT's PSRP division represents school support staff in preK-12 districts, colleges and universities throughout Illinois. Members of this growing and diverse division include office employees, custodians, maintenance workers, bus drivers, instructional paraprofessionals, food service workers, mechanics, special education assistants and many more. They an intrigal part of the team that provides a high-quality education to students.
IFT Higher Education
The IFT represents higher education faculty and staff in public universities, faculty and staff at community colleges, professional staff and graduate employees (both full- and part-time) on campuses across Illinois. Though each group of employees may have unique concerns and needs, they share the goals of promoting academic and institutional excellence and securing good contracts that provide fair pay, benefits and the workplace rights and respect they deserve as graduate employees and higher education professionals.
IFT Public Employees
The IFT represents public employees in many Illinois state agencies, including the Illinois State Board of Education, the comptroller's office, the secretary of state's office and more. No matter where they work, all IFT public employee members strive to provide the high quality service Illinois citizens deserve while working in their local unions to advocate for fair pay and benefits, safe working conditions and respect due them as public employee professionals.
IFT Healthcare
The IFT is proud to be affiliated with the Illinois Dental Hygienists' Association (IDHA), and organization representing more than 1,000 registered dental hygienists (RDHs) in Illinois. IDHA members are licensed oral health care clinicians who work in collaboration with dentists in general and specialty oral health practices, both in private and institutional settings. With IFT support, the IDHA works to promote legislation in Springfield designed to improve public health by ensuring access to quality oral health care, increasing awareness or oral health issues, and promoting high standards of dental hygiene, education, licensure, practice, and research.
IFT Retirees
The IFT's Retiree division serves members who were active in the union during their careers. The IFT helps these members stay connected through IFT retiree chapters. The chapters organize social events and outings, as well as lobbying trips to Springfield to press for improvements and to monitor legislation that is important to both current and future reitrees, such as preserving Social Security, pensions, Medicare and healthcare insurance.