iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Students in social work, early childhood ed, counseling & paraprofessional programs could lose federal aid under Trump's new earnings test. IL can't sit this out: @GovPritzker & the General Assembly must invest in our public universities. 🔗 linktr.ee/iftaft

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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Trump administration just released rules for its national private school voucher program, and IFT President Stacy Davis Gates is calling on Gov. Pritzker to say no. 🔗 in bio.

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Illinois Federation of Teachers @iftaft.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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

Summer sessions are filling up fast - check out available courses and reserve your spot today! Click on the graphics to see a listing of courses offered and then register at ctuf.catalog.instructure.com.

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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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