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Illinois Federation of Teachers

@iftaft.bsky.social
1.2K followers 658 following 1.2K posts

The IFT represents 103,000 teachers and PSRPs, faculty and staff at community colleges and universities, public employees, and retirees throughout Illinois.

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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 21h
The Illinois Federation of Teachers stands with the family of Nolan Wells. Our hearts are with his loved ones, his school community, and everyone who is grieving him. We join them in demanding answers, accountability, and justice for Nolan.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
In one week, the Trump administration ended 50+ school desegregation cases and stripped Title IX protections from LGBTQIA students. IFT President Stacy Davis Gates says we won't accept the retreat. Our contracts will be a shield for our students. 🔗 bit.ly/3Vj4FT6
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Why wait for Nov. 3? Early voting opens today across Illinois. Pick the day that works for your schedule. More voter information: ift-aft.org/vote
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
96% YES. ✊ With nearly 1,300 ballots cast, Cook County College faculty and professional staff have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. Their contracts expired July 15, and after months at the table, they're still far apart from management. We stand with CCCTU: bit.ly/3TKmgmt
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Today is National Voter Registration Day! Your vote is your voice in the classroom and beyond so make sure you are registered. 🗳️ But, if life gets busy, remember: in Illinois you can register in-person right up to and even on Election Day, November 3. 📍 ift-aft.org/vote
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Hispanic Heritage Month begins today. IFT honors the generations of Hispanic and Latino workers who have shaped public education and the labor movement in Illinois. We recommit to fighting alongside our Hispanic and Latino members for equity in every school.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
75% of Illinois students are now in critically underfunded schools, up from 70% last year. That means crumbling buildings, larger classes, and fewer support services for kids who deserve better. Has underfunding hit your classroom? Tell us in the comments. 👇
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
"Name racism when we see it. Confront it. Address it head-on." — IFT President Stacy Davis Gates Read the full statement: 🔗 in bio
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"This isn't tax policy. It is coercion." IFT President Stacy Davis Gates responds to Trump's proposal targeting the tax-exempt status of colleges with equity programs for students of color. Full statement at ift-aft.org.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Illinois promised its kids a fair shot at a good education, no matter their zip code. Nearly 8 years later, that promise is still unfunded and West Frankfort schools are feeling it. Hear from one of our members on what Evidence-Based Funding was supposed to do and why lawmakers keep falling short.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Congrats to Dr. Troy Swanson — IFT Executive Board member, now 2026 Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year. 🎉 His work defending human expertise in the classroom is paying off statewide.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Welcome back to the classroom! 🍎 Level up your teaching this fall — save 25% on select Quest Center PD courses with code WELCOMEBACK25. Offer ends 9/1, so don't wait. Full catalog ➡️ bit.ly/4wPKHMQ
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
$768 million. One settlement. A funding crisis lawmakers say they can't solve. IFT President Stacy Davis Gates says Illinois just found the answer — swipe to see her response, then read the full statement on www.ift-aft.org.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
This isn't just a Belleville story — it's happening in districts across Illinois. Our Exec VP breaks down the real cost of the state's broken funding promise.📚➡️ bit.ly/4bQRdeA
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Nearly 25,000 undocumented students in Illinois just lost access to in-state tuition and financial aid after a federal court ruling. IFT is demanding immediate action to protect college access. ➡️ bit.ly/4g61pkz
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Illinois students can't wait. We are urging state leaders to ACT NOW on school funding. Full story: bit.ly/4wuudtt
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Did you know you can apply for a Vote By Mail Ballot? No excuse necessary. Apply today and skip the line on November 3rd. 🗳️
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
A child entering kindergarten today will graduate from a high school that is still underfunded." — IFT President Stacy Davis Gates on today's EBF report, which shows Illinois losing ground on its legal duty to fund schools by 2027. 📘➡️ bit.ly/4q6iIqq
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Your property taxes were collected. They just never made it to the schools. The Cook County Treasurer is holding ~$400M that's legally owed to school districts. CPS is borrowing $220,000 a day to cover the gap. We're suing. 📖 ➡️ bit.ly/3TohydE
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Summer break doesn't mean the fight stops. ✊ Earlier this summer, IFT members packed Springfield & delivered backpacks representing everything our students & schools go without when public education isn't fully funded — books, supplies, support staff, smaller class sizes.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
We're in D.C. and repping IFT proud! 📸 If you're at AFT Convention this week, snap your Union Selfie and show the labor movement what solidarity looks like! Post your pic and tag @iftaft — let's show the strength of 100,000+ IFT members! ✊
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
The ideals that this country was founded upon were a starting point. 250 years later, that work of realizing them is in all of our hands.  This Independence Day, as we honor the vision that started this country, we also recognize the full history of it.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
The future well-being of our neighbors, communities, and state depends on our ability to fund the pillars of our democracy: public education, public programs, and workers. And the path to that is sustainable revenue from taxing the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Did you know that CTU Foundation's Quest Center Professional Learning Courses are now open to IFT members? That means affordable courses that earn PD credit - all available online.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
What if the most impactful thing we do for students is building care, consistency, and connection every single day?
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
While digital tools are now central to learning, many educators and families are questioning whether too much screen time is impacting student engagement, mental health, and academic success.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Imagine the possibilities in your school if the district was fully funded. What would that look like? For this IFT and @ctulocal1.bsky.social member, it means more support for student learning by bringing in more bilingual staff.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
A heat wave is bringing high temperatures to Illinois this week. ➡️ Keep cool and stay hydrated ➡️ Know the signs of heat-related illness ➡️ Check on neighbors, friends, and relatives
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
‼️IMPORTANT INFO FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS‼️ Federal repayment programs are changing as of July 1 and your payments might be affected. Hundreds of thousands of borrowers in Illinois need to select a new student loan repayment plan if they don’t want to end up on a more expensive plan by default.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
What happens when federal support disappears? Our kids shouldn’t have to find out.  But because our state doesn't fully fund education in MOST districts across Illinois, the impact of federal cuts is even worse.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Students in East St. Louis are on the brink of losing programs that provide not just support, but a lifeline.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
We made progress this legislative session, but we know it's not enough. Our schools are still underfunded by billions and too many students are paying the price.  @ctulocal1.bsky.social
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Today, every evaluator in Illinois completes one statewide training and assessment built by teachers and practitioners that includes how to recognize and mitigate bias. ISBE's new rules scrap that and let every district invent its own training with no state review and no quality control.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
After Western Illinois University laid off its entire library faculty, the union fought for the positions to be reinstated. This month, an arbitrator has ordered the university to reinstate them with back pay, recognizing the critical role librarians play in student learning.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Happy Father's Day to the dads, father figures, and caregivers in our school communities. Thank you for the care, patience, and strength you bring to our families. Wishing you a day filled with appreciation, rest, and time with the people who matter most.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Public schools should be strengthened, not abandoned. Congress created a permanent national school voucher scheme designed to siphon billions of public dollars into private schools while lawmakers propose billions in cuts to public education.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
As educators and public workers, we know that history is not only the past but is something we carry forward. Juneteenth - 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation - is a reminder that freedom has always been delayed and contested, but ultimately won through collective struggle and action.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Inclusive workplaces don't happen by accident.  Including LGBTQIA+ protections in union contracts is a commitment to dignity and ensuring that no one is left behind.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Libraries are gateways to opportunity, lifelong learning, and stronger communities. They level the playing field by giving everyone access to knowledge, no matter their background or income.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has proposed sweeping changes to Part 50 teacher evaluation rules that represent a fundamental shift away from educators and toward unilateral district control.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
📆 THIS FRIDAY - June 19 at 9 AM: Don't miss this transformative Illinois-specific webinar on Black studies resources for educators & students across the state.  All licensed Illinois educators are eligible for Professional Development Hours for attendance.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
IFT and @ctulocal1.bsky.social President Stacy Davis Gates signed on to this open letter from educational union leaders to governors, urging them to reject the federal voucher tax credit program, which is a clear attempt to intentionally weaken and privatize public schools.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
👀 Big congratulations to Halle Morrison, Assistant Professor at Malcolm X College and CCCTU Local 1600 member, for being selected to join the STEMSEAS (STEM Student Experiences Aboard Ships) expedition! 🚢
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Arbitrator Rules WIU's Mass Layoff of Academic Librarians Was Illegal, Orders Reinstatement and Relief Read the full statement: www.ift-aft.org/post/arbitrator-rul….
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The legislative session may be over but our fight isn't. We will continue advocating for full funding because that's what our students and communities deserve.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The Two Largest Unions in Illinois Join National Letter of Educators Urging Democratic Governors to Keep Out of Trump's Federal Voucher Scheme Read the full release: www.ift-aft.org/post/two-largest-un…
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
As politicians in Washington are taking away food for children, stripping resources from schools, and weakening access to healthcare, this @ctulocal1.bsky.social  and IFT member is reminding us what’s really at stake: our children and their right to thrive.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
In response to federal investigations and a subpoena of CPS leadership over racial equity and LGBTQ+ protections, a group of Chicago students are standing up for Chicago’s values: academic freedom, inclusive education, and honest history. @ctulocal1.bsky.social
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
A big and well-deserved CONGRATULATIONS to our Executive Vice President Cyndi Oberle-Dahm, who, upon her retirement from the classroom, was recognized by the Illinois House for her service to Belleville Township District 201, the Southwest Area Council and the IFT, and the State of Illinois.
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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Every worker deserves to work in an environment where they can show up as their full, authentic self. Every student deserves to learn in a space where they are seen, affirmed, and protected. When we uplift one another, we strengthen us all.
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