We are asking Illinois education employees to come together in support of one another and TAKE ACTION for our students and schools. We’re calling on Illinois lawmakers to pass measures that do five things on behalf of Illinois educators and students:
Establish clear metrics, so districts know when to switch to remote learning to keep students and staff safe.
Enforce guidance and requirements put forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and heed the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Provide rapid COVID-19 testing in schools so infected students and staff can be identified before they spread the virus.
Urge the prioritization of education workers in the vaccine schedule.
If the Federal CARES Act isn’t renewed, the state needs to step in, so education workers are not forced to work while ill.
Doing these things will allow schools to stay open. It will help Illinois’ economy recover. The IFT has taken step after step to get enforcement of state safety standards. We’ve worked with state agencies and talked to the governor’s office. Now, we need your help to get Illinois lawmakers to do their job. If you work someplace where you feel safe, can you send an email to your lawmakers on behalf of fellow educators who work in situations where they don’t? If you work someplace where you don’t feel safe, please share this link with coworkers and with community members you think would be helpful to the cause. TAKE ACTION. And, ask your friends, families and neighbors to do the same.