Illinois Federation of Teachers

Illinois Federation of Teachers
Name	Illinois Federation of Teachers
Founded	1935
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Members	~50,000 (varies)
Affiliation	American Federation of Teachers

Illinois Federation of Teachers

The Illinois Federation of Teachers is a statewide labor union representing educators and school-related professionals in Illinois. It operates in coordination with the American Federation of Teachers and interacts with institutions such as the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois General Assembly, and local school districts. The organization engages with figures and entities including Barack Obama, Richard J. Daley, Rahm Emanuel, Arne Duncan, and J. B. Pritzker through collective bargaining, policy advocacy, and electoral activity.

History

Founded in 1935 during the era of New Deal labor organizing, the federation emerged amid contemporaneous activity by the Congress of Industrial Organizations, the American Federation of Labor, and unions like the Chicago Teachers Union. Early interactions involved leaders connected to John L. Lewis, Frances Perkins, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiatives that influenced labor policy in Illinois and cities such as Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria. Over decades the federation engaged with events including the Chicago mayoral administrations of Richard J. Daley and Harold Washington, educational reforms associated with Arne Duncan, statewide policy debates in the Illinois General Assembly, court decisions in the Illinois Supreme Court, and federal legislation influenced by members of Congress such as Paul Simon and Tammy Duckworth.

Organization and Membership

The federation is structured into local affiliates across counties including Cook County, DuPage County, and Lake County, with membership drawn from public school teachers, community college faculty at institutions like City Colleges of Chicago and Illinois Central College, and paraprofessionals in districts from Evanston to Rockford. Governance includes an elected president, vice presidents, and an executive board, with conventions held in venues across Chicago, Springfield, and Naperville. Affiliations include the American Federation of Teachers, the AFL-CIO, and collaborations with labor organizations such as the Service Employees International Union and the Illinois Education Association. Notable affiliates and member leaders have engaged with figures such as Jesse Jackson, Adlai Stevenson, and Barack Obama through coalition work and endorsements.

Activities and Campaigns

The federation runs campaigns addressing teacher pay, classroom resources, and school funding, partnering with coalitions that have worked alongside groups like the National Education Association, Moms Demand Action, and the Illinois PTA. Campaigns have targeted legislators in the Illinois General Assembly and municipal leaders including Chicago mayors Richard M. Daley and Lori Lightfoot. Issues addressed include pension security involving the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System, school accountability measures tied to policies by the U.S. Department of Education and initiatives associated with No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, and COVID-19 response coordination with the Illinois Department of Public Health. The federation has organized statewide actions and collaborated with community organizations such as the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the Illinois AFL-CIO.

Political Advocacy and Endorsements

The federation endorses candidates for local and statewide office, participating in Illinois primary and general election cycles and engaging with politicians including J. B. Pritzker, Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin, and congressional candidates across districts in Chicago and downstate Illinois. It lobbies the Illinois General Assembly on legislation related to school funding formulas, collective bargaining rights, and pension reform involving the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System and the Illinois State Budget. The federation has been part of electoral coalitions connected to labor-friendly groups like the AFL-CIO and has interacted with presidential campaigns including those of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Collective Bargaining and Labor Actions

The federation negotiates collective bargaining agreements with school districts such as Chicago Public Schools, Springfield School District, and Bloomington Public Schools, addressing salaries, benefits, workload, and class size. It has supported strikes and work actions alongside local unions including the Chicago Teachers Union and engaged in arbitration and mediation with entities such as the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board and federal agencies. High-profile labor actions have intersected with municipal administrations, school board elections, and legal challenges brought before courts including the Illinois Appellate Court.

Programs and Services

The federation provides professional development, legal representation, grievance arbitration, and member benefits including insurance plans and retirement counseling related to the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System. It runs campaigns for student services, community partnerships with institutions such as Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois, and scholarship and fellowship programs linked to foundations and philanthropic organizations. The federation supports continuing education and credentialing activities in collaboration with entities like the Illinois Board of Higher Education and local teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities.

Controversies and Criticism

The federation has faced criticism and controversy over endorsements, strike tactics, and positions on pension reform, drawing scrutiny from political opponents, school boards, and media outlets including the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald. Disputes have involved municipal officials such as Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot, state policymakers in the Illinois General Assembly, and legal challenges before courts. Debates have centered on collective bargaining scope, school funding priorities, and responses to standards set by the U.S. Department of Education and state agencies.

Category:Trade unions in Illinois Category:Education trade unions Category:Organizations established in 1935