News You Can Use - September 2026 Edition
Happy Labor Day!
Thank you to everyone who showed up and showed out for the Labor Day Parade in downtown Champaign! Check out photos from the event here! If you have more photos, or your local participated in a different labor day parade, share the pictures with us! Feel free to drop them in the folder or email them to Isabel in the Champaign office!
Upcoming Trainings & Events
Internal Elections Training – Tuesday, September 15th
5:30 – 7:30pm, Champaign IEA Office, register here!
Regions 8 & 9 will be utilizing a new electronic voting process for both region officer and NEA/IEA Representative Assembly elections this year. Please join us for this training to learn everything necessary to conduct both region-wide and local union elections!
New Member Happy Hour – Friday, September 18th
Begins at 5:30pm, TrypTych Brewing in Savoy, register here!
Join us for a New Member Happy Hour! We’ll be drinking and socializing at TrypTych Brewery on Friday, September 18th starting at 5:30pm. This is a great opportunity to meet new members from other locals, or to organize new members from your local to come as a group! IEA defines new members as anyone who has joined within the last ten years. Returning members are welcome to join if they bring new members as well!
School Board Elections Training: Part 1 – Tuesday, September 29th
5:30 – 7:30pm, Champaign IEA Office, register here!
This two-part training helps local leaders understand how to get involved in school board elections. The first session focuses on building a strong campaign foundation before the race begins. We will cover the rules and regulations for obtaining and spending IPACE dollars on political action. Participants will also learn how to identify potential candidates and navigate official filing requirements.
Local Leaders - What You Need to Know
Membership Chairs/Contacts
- Continuous Rosters: IEA roster packets were mailed out on Friday, August 21st. If your local has not received the packet yet, please reach out. Packets were mailed to the home address of your local membership chair/contact. Continuous roster changes are due by October 1st.
- Enrolling New Members: Please ensure your local is using updated enrollment forms and dues bands. Reminder: new members enrolling on or after October 1st should have their annual dues prorated. Please make sure you are using the prorated dues tables. Updated membership enrollment forms, regular dues tables, and prorated dues tables can be accessed here.
Local Presidents
- Member Drops: As is typical for the beginning of a new school year, our office has seen an increase in member opt-outs/drops. Member opt-outs are individuals who wish to drop their membership. This would apply to an individual who was a dues paying member of your local, but is choosing to voluntarily drop their membership while remaining in your local bargaining unit/in a position covered by your contract. Reminder: to opt-out, the member must deliver a notice in writing with an original signature to the local president. It is important that you ensure the member fully understands the rights and privileges they are giving up when dropping. The IEA Membership Drop Checklist can be a helpful resources for talking to a member who wishes to drop their membership.
Local Spotlight
- Prairieview-Ogden EA and Fisher EA are currently still in the fight for a fair contract! Both locals have utilized social media in a powerful way to support their bargaining efforts. Check out their social media pages below! If your local association is interested in creating a social media page, or would like help using a current one, our communications department can help! Click here to submit a Communication Tool Request!
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More News You Can Use from NEA & IEA
Aspiring Educators, kick off your 2026 year at the Fall Retreat at the PDC in Springfield. You’ll get key info on unionism and elections, connect with the IEA network, and meet your state leadership team and members from your area. October 3rd: Aspiring Educators Fall Retreat, Springfield IL
Connect with fellow Early Career educators (years 1 to 10) from your area and across the state. Learn how to get involved with IEA, take part in decision making bodies, and talk election related action for public education. October 24th: Early Career Fall Blitz, Bloomington IL or Oak Brook IL
The President Support Team is hosting a President Roundtable on Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the IEA Palatine Office, 553 N. North Ct., Palatine, IL 60067. (Directions) All local presidents are invited! This will be a governance-led discussion by the President Support Team. We will start the roundtable discussion with a Hot Topic: Fringe Benefits & FMLA Insurance. Additional Information HERE Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 29.
Join ESP Council Members Nandini Asar and Tina Alexander for a conversation about relevant ESP topics. Additional Information HERE
Education support professionals (ESPs) are essential to student learning—and yet, they are often underpaid and undervalued. Through the IEA rESPect campaign, we are advocating to improve wages, benefits and working conditions for ESPs throughout Illinois. We need YOUR voice and your action! Join us for the 2026–27 rESPect meetings to connect with fellow ESPs, share your experiences and help build collective action for the changes ESPs deserve. Please RSVP today to receive the Zoom link and automatic reminders for upcoming rESPect meetings.
Educators are the backbone of our public education system, yet all too often, don’t have resources at their disposal to prioritize their professional learning journeys. Learning and Leadership Grants enable educators to grow their leadership skills and invest in professional development to maximize their impact inside and outside the classroom.
Please join us in welcoming David Glenn, our newly assigned NEA Member Benefits representative for Illinois. David brings nearly 18 years of field experience and a genuine passion for serving members. He is highly professional, responsive, and committed to helping members make the most of their IEA/NEA Member Benefits programs and resources. Whether you have questions about a benefit, would like information on member engagement strategies, or are interested in training opportunities for staff, local leaders, and building reps, I encourage you to connect with David. If members need immediate assistance with anything pertaining to their access or utilization of NEA Member Benefits they can additionally contact the Member Advocacy Center at 1-800-637-4636 to obtain assistance in English or Spanish.
Additionally, David is a point of contact if a member passes away, and he can assist with initiating the complimentary life insurance policy process that is available for active non retired members. David is an outstanding partner and a tremendous resource for both staff and members. You can reach David directly at dglenn@neamb.com or 314-518-8962.
OPEN TO IEA MEMBERS AND IEA STAFF!
A short, self-paced training on Supporting Transgender & Non-Binary Students (K-12) is still available for FREE to the first 100 individuals to sign up! We have some spots left, but you need to sign up/complete the training by September 30th! Don’t miss this highly applicable, first-of-its-kind course from the Human Rights Campaign! More details on the Leadership & Justice Department Webpage!
What if the next step in your teaching journey could transform your professional practice and positively impact your students and families?
Presented by members of IEA’s National Board Outreach Committee, the webinar will explore what the National Board Certification process looks like, why educators pursue certification, what financial incentives and support systems are available to candidates, and how the process deepens your reflection and professional growth. Whether you’re just curious or ready to take the next step, this webinar will answer your questions and help you see what’s possible.
September 16 | 7pm | Online Zoom Meeting
ISBE is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2027 National Board Component Subsidy through October 1st. The agency assumed responsibility for the Illinois National Board Teaching Excellence Program in July. Eligible Illinois educators pursuing or maintaining National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards may receive financial support through the component subsidy to help cover certification costs. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to availability.
Visit ISBE’s National Board Component Subsidies webpage for more information. Apply for the Illinois National Board Teaching Excellence Program Candidate Component Subsidy.
Did you know…IEA allots $40,000 annually to be spent on professional development to meet the specific needs of its members across the state? The IEA Professional Development Funding Opportunities Committee oversees distribution of these funds. Visit http://www.tinyurl.com/IEAPD today to review the criteria and submit your application! Additional Information HERE
This conference is an opportunity for IEA Education Support Professional members, Higher Education members and Retired members to development professional skills, earn professional development credit and network with colleagues around the state. There are a variety of sessions to choose from.
- Session will begin on Friday, October 16 at 5:00 p.m. and run through Saturday, October 17 at 1:00 p.m.
- Keynote Speaker will be Mary Kusler, Senior Director, Center for Advocacy and Political Action with NEA
- Registration link – 2026 One Conference Registration
- Hotel Reservation link – 2026 One Conference Hotel Registration Link
- Request for Funding – 2026 IEA One Conference
The President Support Team has updated the supports for presidents for 2026-2027 on IEA’s website on the President Support page. Some of the supports include 5 in person President Roundtables at different IEA offices throughout the state, 1 Virtual President Roundtable, monthly Cocktails & Conversations on Zoom and events at the One Conference and IEA-RA.
This two-part series will provide you with a better understanding of the role of a building rep, and how you can utilize your skills to enhance the effectiveness of your union. The work of a building rep is the cornerstone of the success of a local union. Join us to for an opportunity to add tools to your building rep toolkit. Join us for this virtual training on Thursday, September 10th from 5:30 to 6:30 PM! Click here to register.
The Universal Mental Health Screening: Non-Regulatory Guidance for School Districts provides school districts with information on implementation planning, legal and privacy considerations, family engagement, and follow-up supports as schools prepare for statewide screening requirements.
Beginning with the 2027-28 school year, Public Act 104-0032 requires all school districts, unless approved for an extension by ISBE, to offer annual mental health screenings to students in grades 3 through 12. Additional resources are available on ISBE’s Mental and Behavioral Health Screening webpage.
Register today for Solidarity Mapping! PD hours available!
The IEA Leadership and Justice Department presents Solidarity Mapping: Community Resilience in Chaotic Times, with three leveled virtual tracks:
- Abolitionist: Leadership Cadre – Racial Equity and Action, featuring Tim Wise. Kicks off August 11, meeting once a month. Deepen your commitment to racial equity and action—an opportunity you won’t want to miss! Curious about what the Solidarity Mapping Leadership Cadre with Tim Wise is? Check out this clip of the recording from our August session to get a flavor of what to expect, then register here to get access to the full recording, follow up materials, homework, and link to join the September session! PD hours available!
- Co-Conspirator: Copper to Gold – Race Amity Project (September 2026–March 2027)
- Emerging Activist: Book Study – Ruthless Equity (October 2026–March 2027)
Spaces are limited; register now! https://cvent.me/meLGly