Statement on the Proposed Shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education — Illinois Federation of Teachers Secretary-Treasurer Cyndi Oberle-Dahm
As one of the officers for a union representing approximately 100,000 dedicated educators and school staff across the state, we strongly oppose any efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Such a move would be a direct attack on public education, undermining essential federal protections for students, teachers, and working families.
The Department of Education plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to quality education, enforcing civil rights protections, funding essential programs for students with disabilities, and supporting low-income communities. Eliminating it would shift the burden to already underfunded state and local governments, exacerbating inequality and leaving millions of students without the resources they need to succeed. Eliminating it while still keeping all state and federal mandates in place would only further burden already overworked and exhausted educational professionals.
Furthermore, this proposal is an insult to the hardworking educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our nation. It threatens to erode labor rights, weaken collective bargaining power, and strip away critical funding that sustains jobs and supports fair wages and benefits for school employees. It would also pave the way for school choice which would further erode any hope of providing accessible education to all students.
The IFT stands united in defense of public education and the rights of all workers within the education system. We urge lawmakers to reject this reckless proposal and instead focus on strengthening our schools, supporting our educators, and investing in the future of our students.
We call on all educators, parents, and community members to join us in this fight. Public education is the backbone of our democracy, and we will not stand by as it is dismantled for political gain.