It’s been a slow week for legislation in Springfield, but IFT members still made their voices heard! CTU Local 1 members traveled to the state capital to lobby legislators about funding. And thousands of IFT PSRP members filed witness slips in support of a bill that would grant school districts unemployment insurance. We’ll have more updates after legislative committee action commences next week.
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
IFT members already feel the impacts of federal cuts
Did you know that among our IFT members are Illinois meat inspectors, represented by the Illinois Federation of Public Employees, Local 4408? These workers are essential to maintaining food safety throughout Illinois and the world. Because Illinois pork and beef products are shipped statewide, nationally, and internationally, nearly half of the inspectors' salaries are supported by federal dollars. These jobs were threatened recently due to President Trump's federal funding cuts and freezes. This instability directly impacted the meat inspectors we represent, threatening their overtime and potential layoffs. The 70 meat and poultry facilities in Illlinois have all been impacted by the federal government. The Governor's office and producers warn that if this continues, the supply chain will be disrupted, food safety will be called into question, and as a result, we can expect prices to rise. This impacts our members who work for the agency and all of us at the grocery checkout. Governor Pritzker is speaking out to hold the federal government accountable.
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Higher education members are feeling the effects of Trump’s cuts and freezes too. Devastating cuts are disrupting research in education and science, pausing projects that would tell us more about life-threatening diseases like diabetes, cancer, and HIV. Researchers who rely on federal grants to fund their work are questioning whether they will be able to continue their studies. And students, faculty, and staff don’t know what will become of their cultural spaces on campus that encourage diversity and inclusion. Thanks to public outcry, Sen. Durbin (IL) has proposed a resolution to ensure critical work at the National Institutes of Health continues, but uncertainty lingers.
How are YOU taking action on March 4?
Are you joining the national Day of Action on March 4? The Trump administration’s plan to abolish the U.S. Department of Education and block funding to federal programs will have severe consequences for our students and schools. That’s why educators, parents, students, and community allies are coming together on March 4 to stand up to protect federal education funding and the kids who need it most. Learn more about how you can take action, register your event, and access the AFT toolkit! Whatever you do on March 4 to #ProtectOurKids, please let us know about it: Tag @iftaft on your social media channels.
Social Security fairness update
ICYMI, after much union advocacy, one of former President Joe Biden’s last actions was to sign the Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. This move restored full Social Security retirement benefits for 150,000 public servants in Illinois and millions nationwide. The Social Security Administration has since released an update, stating it will immediately begin paying retroactive benefits and increase monthly payments in April for the millions of people affected.
PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK
Exciting news: Teacher and IFT member Lisa Quandt of the Belleville Federation of Teachers will join Rep. Nikki Budzinski as a special guest at next week’s State of the Union in Washington, D.C. Here at home, we’ll be sending solidarity vibes to two of our chapters in University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100 – UIS Instructors United and United Faculty of ISU – both of whom are fighting for fair contracts. We’re also listening to Jane Fonda’s recent speech on repeat for inspiration.