The following fact sheets are for legislation from the
current (97th) General Assembly. If you are searching for past legislation see 96th General Assembly.
HB 5531
IFT opposes House Bill 5531, legislation that would repeal provisions
that permit the children of employees of a State university who have
been employed by any one or by more than one State university for an
aggregate period of at least 7 years to receive a 50% tuition waiver.
Effective immediately.
IFT opposes Senate Bill 512, legislation that seeks to reduce pension benefits for current members of public pension systems by requiring increased contributions to the plan. Members in all of the state funded, Chicago and Cook county pension systems will be impacted by this legislation.
In January 2011, the Illinois House passed HB 3628 which would have repealed bargaining rights for thousands of state employees and denied thousands of unorganized state workers the right to form and join a union. The Senate recognized the egregiousness of this repeal of worker rights and refused to take up the measure.
Labor expects a bill similar to those introduced in recent months to be pushed by the Governor's office in the final days of session. We ask for your opposition to any proposal restricting collective bargaining rights for public employees.
This is a historic piece of education reform legislation drafted with a broad, diverse coalition committed to doing what’s best for students.
SB 1932
The Illinois Federation of Teachers and its largest local bargaining unit, the Chicago Teachers Union, along with a host of other public education stakeholders and unions oppose voucher legislation contained in Senate Bill 1932.
HB 225
This initiative amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act to include pre-professional graduate assistants in the definition of educational employees.
SB 1578
This legislation will provide access to professional development training for educational support personnel to upgrade their skills and prepare them to assume greater responsibilities in our schools.
SB 2187 / HB 3383
This legislation calls for exemptions to the 6% salary limitation. Unless these exemptions are approved such things as summer school teaching, and national board certification of experienced educators, and promotions of university faculty will be severely curtailed because of the possible financial impact to school districts and universities throughout the state.
Pensions
Several pieces of legislation have been introduced that propose reducing pension benefits for current members of state funded pension systems and other public employee pension systems. IFT will continue to oppose any piece of legislation that reduces pension benefits for current public employees.
SB 3
This legislation will provide a modest increase in state support for education in 2011-12 plus a "debt restructuring" plan that will enable the state to fund $1 billion in late payments owed to local schools this year.