The Weekly Roundup | 4/18/25

Legislators are back in their home districts, so Springfield was quiet this week. Upon their return, only six more weeks of the legislative session remain until the May 31 adjournment deadline. We hope to see action on legislation to fix the Tier 2 pension system.

We will continue to monitor developments that affect our members and will 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

The legal battles continue  

In the three months since President Trump was elected, we've witnessed consistent attacks on democracy, public education (like this Metro East district’s loss of funding for a new HVAC system), and our rights as students, citizens, and humans. Fortunately, there’s also been consistent opposition. On Wednesday, a U.S. District Judge gave the Trump administration until April 23 to comply with court orders or be held in contempt in response to their violation of an order to halt deportations without due process. A day earlier, the NAACP sued the Department of Education to stop the “illegal effort to cut off funding to schools that use diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and prevent Black students from receiving equal education opportunities.” And the day before that, several universities joined Harvard in suing the Department of Energy over cuts to funding. (ICYMI: Trump administration officials sent a letter to Harvard threatening to stop all payments unless the university capitulated to a list of demands that threatened academic freedom. Harvard rejected the demands here.)

IFT offers Teach Truth series of summer professional development

IFT’s Union Professional Issues Department is providing a new professional development series called Teach Truth: An Academic Freedom Summer. Beginning next week through August, these learning opportunities delve into culturally relevant pedagogies, train educators on Illinois’ curricular mandates, and provide support for educators in an era of censorship and erasure. There are both online and in-person opportunities, and most are free of charge and offer PD credits. All courses will be provided by IFT or vetted partners. Learn more and register here.

Senator Durbin’s continuing effort to warn about for-profit colleges

Sen. Dick Durbin sent his 12th annual warning to Illinois educators, counselors, and principals as part of his continuing campaign to alert students and their families to the dangers of for-profit colleges. As the letter states, “nearly every major for-profit college company has been investigated or sued for deceptive practices.” Attendees pay a high price to attend these institutions, but their tuition dollars are spent on misleading advertising rather than academic supports.

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PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

Peoria area members: Rep. Eric Sorensen is hosting an education town hall on Tuesday, April 22. Register here to attend.

Mark your calendars for upcoming opportunities to take action on issues that affect our professions and communities:

• April 29-May 1: Our union coalition is calling for one more push to demand legislators take action to fix Tier 2. Details are coming soon.

• May 1: Join or register a National Day of Action event on May Day, when people will come together to demand a government that prioritizes people over profits.

And remember – keep your peace, but keep paying attention.