Our members are standing up. Here’s how you can join in.
Three Fights. One Message: Fully Fund Our Schools
Last week was quite a week!
In Cahokia, our members stood firm, and our students walked out beside them. At City Colleges, 96% of our faculty and professionals said they are ready to do what it takes for their students. And at Northwestern, hundreds of educators took the first brave step towards building a union of their own.
These fights look different on the surface, but they share one root: a state that still refuses to fully fund the schools and colleges our communities depend on. When Springfield comes up short, working people and students are left to make up the difference. We are done making up the difference. It’s time for politicians to fully fund our schools.
Cahokia: Pressure works
The Cahokia Federation of Teachers reached an agreement with the district Wednesday night, postponing a strike that was set to begin Friday. Students walked out earlier in the week to help prevent a strike, and members will vote on the deal this week. Local 1272 has been fighting for salaries competitive with other districts, and for an environment that attracts and retains educators for nearly 2 years. Over the summer, the district had 80 open teaching positions.
City Colleges: Strike-ready!
Nearly 1,300 CCCTU Local 1600 members voted, and 96% authorized a strike. Faculty and professionals want protections against AI, free developmental education so students don't drain financial aid on non-credit courses, smaller classes, and fair raises. Unless there is significant movement at the table, the union plans to announce a strike date at the Oct. 1 board of trustees meeting.
Northwestern University: Faculty organizing to join IFT
Non-tenure eligible and adjunct faculty rallied at The Rock Wednesday to launch United Academics of Northwestern University and affiliate with IFT. As many as 800 faculty could be eligible. Organizers are collecting cards from eligible faculty to trigger a union election if the university won't voluntarily recognize the union.
The work is already happening
This past weekend, IFT members were out on the doors across Illinois. In Quincy, our team began door knocking for the Adams County school facilities sales tax referendum. In the western suburbs, members and staff canvassed for IFT-endorsed candidate State Rep.Nabeela Syed (HD51). And in Bloomington, Local 4100 trained members to get out and talk with voters.
The common thread: Full funding
Illinois schools are $6.8 billion short of adequacy under the state's own Evidence-Based Funding formula. When the state underfunds, the cost lands on educators' paychecks, class sizes, and staffing. It also lands on students. That's why IFT called on Speaker Welch, President Harmon, and Gov. Pritzker to close the gap during veto session.
Hungry kids can't learn
Federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are making it worse. Fewer than 1.7 million Illinoisans received SNAP in March 2026, down 13.7% from a year earlier. The damage doesn't stop at the dinner table. Illinois counts low-income students largely through enrollment in programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and the funding formula uses those counts to send resources where they're needed. As families lose benefits, their kids can disappear from the count. Falling SNAP participation can also cut federal meal reimbursements, putting universal free school meals at risk. Families lose food, and schools lose funding for the students who need it most.
If you or a family you serve has lost SNAP benefits or needs help, find resources and apply at Abe Illinois.
Then we take it to the ballot box
Early voting is already open across Illinois. Full funding doesn't happen without leaders who will fight for it, so check your registration today, then check in with the friends, family, and coworkers in your life. Let's make sure every one of us is ready to vote by Nov. 3.
And educators and public employees are the most trusted messengers on what should happen in our worksites, so when we talk to voters about a ballot measure or one of our endorsed candidates, people listen.
Like our union siblings in Cahokia proved this past week, when we stand together, we win.
