The Illinois Federation of Teachers department of political activities shall promote legislators and legislation which shall protect and enhance the professional integrity and bargaining rights of all members. The DPA assists in the development of IFT and AFT policies and supports legislative and political objectives at the state and national level, consistent with those policies. This mission is carried out through an organized program of political and legislative activity as well as year round monitoring of various regulatory agencies.

The following nine areas further delineate but are not meant to limit the IFT agenda.

• Revenue and Finance
• Collective Bargaining
• Pensions and Insurance
• Certification
• Child Welfare
• School Welfare
• Professional Welfare
• Civil Rights
• Higher Education

In addition the IFT will continue to oppose:

• Tax and spending limitations which curtail and/or obstruct educational and social
services
• Attempts to weaken or reduce present student attendance requirements for the
purpose of computing state aid
• Attempts to weaken or repeal compulsory school attendance laws
• De-mandating of educational programs
• Block grants
• Any effort to weaken the separation of church and state
• Mandated statewide textbook selection
• Testing for re-certification
• Legislation which seeks to break up the Chicago school system
• Privatization
• Inclusion until proper and adequate resources and facilities are provided
• Tuition tax credits, vouchers and state aid to private schools