The Weekly Roundup | 5/30/25

Tomorrow marks the end of Illinois’ legislative session. We’re monitoring final amendments and discussions on the bills that affect our members, and we continue to ask for your help putting pressure on legislators and Governor Pritzker to fix Tier 2.

Tier 2 legislation could still be called for a vote - take action NOW! 

A huge THANK YOU to the 9,500 members who joined us earlier this week on our Tier 2 town hall call, and to all members who have joined the fight, made calls, and sent letters to lawmakers and Governor Pritzker to demand retirement security for public workers. We are closer than ever to making meaningful changes to Tier 2 pensions. As of noon Friday, SB 1937 – our bill to start fixing unfair Tier 2 pensions for public workers – has yet to be called. This proposal can put us on a path to improving Tier 2 pensions for public employees while also addressing our state’s pension funding problems – and without damaging our current budgetary situation. Our union coalition reached out to Governor Pritzker this week to ask for his support, and we continue to push legislators to finalize this legislation for a vote. We need your help to keep the pressure on.

• Call Governor Pritzker at 844-217-7510.

• Email Governor Pritzker.

• Submit a witness slip in favor of SB 1937. Directions can be found here.

Lawmakers work to pass a budget by May 31 deadline

The legislature is nearing the end of its spring session, and the final task is to pass the FY26 budget, which is expected to be more challenging than last year. There is significant concern due to uncertainty surrounding the federal government and the anticipated drop in federal receipts for Illinois. Earlier this month, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) revised its revenue forecast downward by nearly $550 million amid a nearly $1 billion deficit. In the face of a deficit, the IFT has continued to advocate for following:

• Full funding of the Evidence-Based Model (EBM) and a substantial increase in funding for public colleges and universities

• Funding for programs that support the recruitment and retention of educators, including Grow Your Own Teachers, National Board-Certified Teachers, and Teacher Mentoring

• A full pension payment as certified by each system

• Legislation to address the inadequacies of Tier 2

We will share an update with members when the budget process is complete.

IFT members join education town hall in southwestern Illinois 

Numerous members came out to join Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, IFT President Dan Montgomery, AFT President Randi Weingarten and NEA President Becky Pringle last night at a public education town hall in East St. Louis. As federal funding cuts are threatening classrooms, straining educators, and putting students at risk, and as university research is being censored and pathways to higher education are blocked, we are grateful to have representatives like Nikki Budzinski in Washington to stand for public schools and working people. While we saw a win at the federal level this week with a judge blocking the Trump administration from closing the Department of Education, we know that continued solidarity is needed now more than ever.

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PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

Tell Governor Pritzker to stand with public workers and support SB 1937! 

AFT and allies are hosting “No Kings Day” events on June 14 to send a clear message: No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. Join us—find a “No Kings” event near you.

Don’t forget to check our Academic Freedom Summer professional development opportunities.