The Weekly Roundup | 4/25/25

Senator Dick Durbin announced his retirement this week after serving 44 years in Congress. “Senator Durbin's career has been defined by principled leadership, fierce advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to working people,” said IFT President Dan Montgomery. Read the rest of his statement here.

We are monitoring developments that affect our members and will continue to share regular updates, what your unions and legislators are doing in response, and how you can join the fight to protect our students, schools, and professions.

THREE ITEMS ON OUR RADAR

One month left to fix Tier 2

In just over a month, the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring session. The IFT and We Are One Illinois coalition have been hard at work educating legislators about the importance of fixing Tier 2, and we’re holding one more week of action for members to make their voice heard. From April 29 – May 1 next week, call and email lawmakers: Tell them to pass the Fair Retirement and Recruitment Act to finally fix Tier 2 pensions.

IFT members advocate for our students and professions

It’s been a busy week for IFT members around the state. In Peoria, members attended a town hall with Congressman Eric Sorensen, where they discussed concerns about the Department of Education, voting rights, and more.

In DeKalb, faculty and instructors organized a rally in support of international students after five students recently had their visas revoked and to show solidarity with students and faculty nationwide who have been impacted. IFT President Dan Montgomery and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood joined the rally to condemn this attack on higher education and constitutional freedoms, and to show their solidarity with students, faculty, and staff.

Meanwhile, IFT members and staff testified before members of the General Assembly on several issues this week in Springfield. Members from Kaskaskia Special Education Association (Local 4336), Hillsboro Unit Education Association (Local 4135), and the West Suburban Teachers Union (Local 571) addressed the rising costs of health insurance for K-12 educators. The University Professionals of Illinois (Local 4100) advocated for increased funding for higher education. Lastly, IFT staff spoke to a House committee about IFT budget priorities, which include additional funding for K-12, Virtual Instructional Coaching (VIC), National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT), Health School meals, and more. 

Make your voice heard next week

As we approach Workers Memorial Day and May Day next week, there are plenty of opportunities to take action and make your voice heard in community with union members and allies. Illinois Families for Public Schools is hosting a phone bank on Monday to urge constituents to tell their legislators that public dollars should go towards public schools, rather than taxpayer funded federal voucher scheme currently under consideration in Congress. Register here. And on Thursday, May 1, in Chicago and cities across the country, people will gather to demand a country that puts our families over billionaires’ fortunes—public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, housing over homelessness. RSVP here.

AFT wins legal victory for DEI

A Maryland district judge issued a decision this week in AFT’s lawsuit against Trump’s Department of Education (ED), temporarily blocking Trump's “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) that claims “DEI” is unlawful. AFT and other unions jointly filed suit in February against the Trump administration asking for the DCL to be declared unlawful and to stop the enforcement and implementation of the letter. The judge found that the Trump administration likely violated the law when issuing the DCL. The administration is expected to appeal the judge's decision. Stay tuned for updates as the case proceeds.

The judge's order essentially puts implementation of the letter on hold until the case is resolved. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the judge's decision. Stay tuned for updates as the case proceeds.

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PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

Are you participating in any actions next week? Tag IFT on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, or X to let us know! @iftaft

We’ll be watching for bill action in Springfield as legislators count down to the end of Spring Session, as well as guidance from AFT’s experts on yesterday’s executive orders on schools and higher education accreditation. Stay tuned!

And as many of us count down to the end of the school year, here's a handy PSA to share with anyone who harps on educators having “summers off.” But also...