District 1 schools are set to have their first day of class on Aug. 17. 

The following statement is from REA President Kim Jones: 

“We have spent more than seven months at the negotiating table, bargaining in good faith, trying to reach a fair agreement with the district. Still, the board does not seem to be willing to settle this and continues to make offers that are inequitable and do not value the years of service our experienced teachers have given to the district. They have given us no choice but to initiate the next step toward a strike. We will stop at nothing to make sure we get the best contract for our educators and for all of our students.  

“Make no mistake, we would much rather be in our classrooms with our students than out on the picket line, which is why we remain hopeful we will be able to come to an agreement before students return to school on Aug. 17.” 

 Find more background here. 

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents PreK-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

“We want our community to know what’s going on. Parents have a right to be informed, and we are sounding the alarm. School starts in a couple of weeks. We need to get our contract negotiations wrapped up so everyone can put their sole focus where it belongs – on our students,” REA President Kim Jones said.

The main issues at the bargaining table are:

• Pay scale: The wages being proposed by the district do not value our experienced educators. In fact, they’ve made financial offers that would cut wages for some teachers.
• Vacancy language: Currently, teachers in Roxana are given an advanced opportunity to apply for any open positions within the district. The district is looking to eliminate the policy.
• Respect/communication: The district’s overall lack of respect and communication during the bargaining process have made reaching an agreement extraordinarily difficult.

“The district continues to make offers that do not value our experienced educators and have even made offers that would cut wages. It’s insulting, honestly,” Jones said. “This isn’t about money, it’s about respect. We know the district has the funds to meet our requests without raising taxes. We’re teachers. We’ve done the math. We’re asking for fair, competitive wages we know the district can afford.”

At the District 1 BOE meeting on July 24, the district stated they have a surplus in the education fund. REA and the district have been bargaining for nearly seven months and have had four federally–mediated bargaining sessions.

REA represents about 140 teachers and licensed educators who support nearly 1,700students in District 1.

Today’s informational picket begins at 7:45 a.m. and will last until 7:45 p.m. Roxana teachers will be wearing red and taking shifts in front of the District 1 administrative building (401 Chaffer Ave., Roxana). The next negotiation session for REA and the BOE has not been set.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents PreK-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

WHEN: Sat., July 25 and Sun., July 26 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

WHERE: Pekin Walmart (3320 Veterans Dr., Pekin)

NOTE:  Pekin Public School District 108 serves 3,000 students, of whom 65% live below the poverty line. Rising gas prices and growing inflation are putting an added strain on families as they prepare their children for back-to-school. When students do not have access to proper school supplies, it can negatively impact their academic performance and self-esteem.

This is the second year for the Stuff a Bus campaign, and educators with the EAP will be on hand to collect donations. EAP wants to make sure that every child can start their school year strong with the resources they need to thrive.

The EAP represents the teachers, paraprofessionals, social workers, speech pathologists, secretaries, and other educational support personnel of District 108.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents PreK-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

“It is so important that young people get involved early and make their voices heard,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Stephanie has been instrumental in bringing the voices of future teachers to the forefront while serving on NEA’s Board of Directors, and I have no doubt she will continue to lead and grow our movement as chairperson of NEA Aspiring Educators.”

Chávez, a leader on the local, state and national level, has represented aspiring educators on NEA’s Board of Directors for the past year, amplifying the voices of young people. She hopes to use her new role to make membership more accessible and inclusive.

“My goal of making membership accessible and union education a priority will set us up to build the inclusive program we all dream of,” said Chávez. “Coalition building begins with us. Together, let’s build a program that is inclusive for the leaders that will come after us.”

“Stephanie is just getting started, with a promising career ahead of her. Even before reaching this point, she has already established herself as a respected organizer, advocate, and trusted voice, said Illinois Education Association President Karl Goeke. “Whether she’s addressing racial and social justice issues or shaping conversations around education policy, people listen when Stephanie speaks. She is an exceptional leader today, and her impact will only continue to grow. We’re fortunate to have her in the profession.”

The Aspiring Educators Program supports, develops and empowers diverse, pre-service teachers with the resources, networks and opportunities to excel as educators and leaders, both as students and throughout their career. More than 40,000 Aspiring Educators are already part of the National Education Association – the nation’s largest union of 3 million teachers and school staff.

Nearly 7,000 educators, education support professionals, retired teachers and aspiring educators are in Denver for the 169th Annual Meeting and 105th RA, the organization’s top decision-making body, which sets Association policy for the coming year. Delegates will complete an agenda, which includes adopting a budget, electing executive committee members and addressing new business items.

For more information on NEA’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly, go to www.nea.org/ra

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest labor union, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.

Students, parents, and educators are counting on Pritzker and other governors to protect public education.

“As it stands now, more than 60 percent of public schools are underfunded in Illinois. The federal plan, much like Illinois’ recently lapsed “Invest in Kids” program, takes tax dollars away from public schools and gives that money to private schools. In Illinois, it drained up to $75 million in state money from schools that educate 90 percent of our students. Our public schools are engines of opportunity, community focal points, and places where every child is welcome to grow and thrive,” Goeke said.

In Illinois, we learned that vouchers:

• Benefit more white students than students of color;
• Fund schools that are not subject to the same testing standards as those in public schools
• Do not hold private school teachers to the same professional standards as those in public schools;
• Fail to show how many students actually switched from public schools to private schools, or whether public money funded students who had been in private schools all along;
  Sent public money to private schools, which can and DO discriminate based on physical or emotional special needs, gender identity issues, moral values and religion.

IEA knows from its own bipartisan polling that 69 percent of residents in Illinois support increasing funding to public schools in Illinois and that 85 percent believe ALL students are entitled to a public education.

“Public money should stay in public schools. We’ve already walked this path in Illinois and we learned that vouchers are a scheme and a scam. Education is the great equalizer for the youth in our state. We owe our children — no matter where they live, the color of their skin, how much money their parents earn — the best we can possibly give them. Vouchers do the exact opposite. We’ve already learned this lesson. Let’s not repeat it,” Goeke said.

Davis Gates agreed, saying this is a test and Pritzker should strive to earn an “A.”

“Democratic governors are being handed a test right now. Will you stand up for public school students or will you help Donald Trump normalize a voucher scheme that Illinois has already rejected? The Democratic Party platform opposes vouchers, our governors should, too,” said Davis Gates. “The Illinois General Assembly already said no to vouchers because they funded discrimination and diverted $315 million from our state’s General Revenue Fund to fund private schools. Now Trump is repackaging the same failed experiment as a federal tax credit, and Democratic governors across the country are being asked to give it a stamp of approval. Every governor who opts in colludes with Donald Trump at the expense of their own public schools. Illinois should not be one of them. The Governor owes our students $6 billion from Pre-K to PhD. Illinois should be making good on what it owes our students, not considering a program that will take even more resources away from them.”

Goeke said the governor’s rejection can send a powerful statement to all Illinois students and families by saying “no.”

“This is a moment to lead, once again, like you have on the statewide ban on book bans, free universal mental health screenings and expanded pre-school, and prove to our students and their families that you have their backs. Be like the governors of Wisconsin, Kentucky, Minnesota and Arizona and reject vouchers,” he said.

Proponents contend that this is “free money” for states. That’s not true. While the tax credit is federally funded, participation carries real and predictable fiscal risks for states and local school districts. Because public education funding is tied to enrollment, if vouchers incentivize some students to leave public schools, that will mean losing vital funding while leaving behind fixed costs — threatening key programs and school personnel needed to adequately support our students.

Vouchers are unpopular with voters across political parties and threaten the stability of the state budget and the strength of public schools. They harm the vast majority of students who continue to rely on public education. Those harms are particularly acute in rural areas, where public schools serve outsized roles as employers, community focal points, healthcare providers to children and adults, shelters in emergencies, and a major source of pride. The future shouldn’t be gambled on promises made by an unpredictable and unreliable administration. Rejecting the Trump administration’s voucher program preserves state and local budget predictability and protects the future of public education for Illinois’s students, families, and communities.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The following statement is attributable to IEA President Karl Goeke:  

“The bill came about through a direct request from our membership, and is a huge win for educators all over Illinois. As soon as this bill becomes law, teachers and school staff who are wrongfully accused, will no longer have to worry about false accusations following them throughout their careers. Our school workers will now be ensured a fair, due process when accused of any wrongdoing. We are so grateful to the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel and Rep. Anna Moeller, who have been working with us on this legislation for years. We are looking forward to Gov. JB Pritzker signing this bill into law.”  

For more information and background on the bill, click here.  

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

IEA seeks safe public schools for every student and every school employee and supports accountability for misconduct. This bill includes a right to challenge issuance of the warning, or allegations in the warning, to the school board and allows the facts to be reviewed by a non-biased third party, if necessary.

School management associations, including the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Large Unit District Association, Illinois Principals Association and others have launched a disinformation campaign against the bill.

“Think about this: School management is fighting to keep false accusations against educators in their permanent employment record. No wonder we have a teacher shortage. No teacher deserves their career and reputation taken from them based on unsubstantiated, faulty claims,” said IEA President Karl Goeke.

The bill does the following:

• Seeks to ensure that when a Notice to Remedy is used, the allegations included in the warning are factual and substantiated. It does NOT change current practice in issuing a warning or limiting management’s decision-making authority on addressing misconduct.
• Keeps students safe. These warnings are issued for behavior that is considered “remedial,” and are not intended as an avenue to address misconduct that impacts student safety. If misconduct rises to the level of student safety, it is NOT impacted by this bill.
• Allows a non-biased third party to assess the allegation to prevent frivolous cases and hold everyone accountable. Arbitration is not the goal, but is necessary when a warning cannot be supported by fact. The cost of the arbitrator will be split between the union and the district and NOT on the district alone.

“We ask lawmakers to support this bill, which applies a reasonable application of due process,” Goeke said. “Every school employee should be given a right to challenge the issuance of a warning or an allegation with their own school board. And, if necessary, to have an unbiased, trained third party review the claims. If deemed not credible, those false accusations should not follow a person for their career. That’s patently unfair.”

The bill passed out of a House committee last week on a 7-2 vote. It is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

WHO: Members of a coalition of five local unions: District 65 Educators’ Council (DEC), Evanston Teachers’ Assistant Association (ETAA), Evanston Association of Childcare Professionals (EACCP), District 65 Educational Secretarial and Clerical Association (DESCA) and Evanston Custodial Maintenance Association (ECMA)

WHEN: Mon., May 4, 5 p.m.

WHERE: Board Room at Joseph E. Hill Education Center (1500 McDaniel Ave., Evanston)

NOTE:  The SACC program is not just an auxiliary service. It is a vital, deeply integrated part of our school community. Its closure will directly impact more than 350 school-aged children, effectively displacing what amounts to an entire school population. Beyond the numbers, this decision disrupts families, undermines student support systems, and weakens the very fabric of our district.

Read the full letter from the coalition of unions here.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The REA has two pending grievances against the district. The first regarding classroom conditions and overcrowding for dual language learners. The second focuses on compensation issues for educators with larger class sizes. The REA is now filing a ULP in regard to the first grievance. And, Tuesday night, the REA executive committee voted to send the second grievance to arbitration.

“What’s happening here is just wrong. Our students deserve better than this. There’s a law in a place for a reason. It’s to make sure all our students, no matter the color of their skin or what language they speak, have equitable learning conditions and the same access to the high-quality education their peers are receiving,” REA President Claudia Marshall said.

State law requires districts to maintain bilingual class sizes that are no more than 90% of the average size of the monolingual class sizes for each building grade level.

“It’s really crazy that we have to go to these lengths to get the school district to support all our students, as they’re required to do by law. On top of that, they’re violating our new contract they just agreed to a month ago. The ink isn’t even dry on this thing, and they’re already blatantly ignoring it,” Marshall said. “They’re telling the community they don’t care about our Hispanic students; they don’t care about our parents and community members; and they certainly don’t care about our teachers.”

REA’s contract language states bilingual classroom teachers should be paid based on the number of students assigned to their classrooms. However, the district is attempting to pay educators based on student attendance.

“Our teachers are preparing their lessons for the number of students in their class, not the number of students that show up that day. Regardless of how many students are sick, our educators are still doing the work to make sure all students are accounted for. Their pay shouldn’t be docked because a student is sick. In fact, it’s actually more work when a student is absent because the teacher then has to make sure that student gets caught up,” Marshall said.

REA represents nearly 2,000 teachers, social workers, counselors, speech pathologists, nurses, psychologists and other licensed staff working and supporting nearly 28,000 students in RPS.

The ULP will be filed with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) this week. More details will be forthcoming.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

“The Unemployment Equity Act is about fairness and justice for all workers by ending the practice of treating one class of workers as less deserving,” said Pat Devaney, Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “These non-instructional workers are on the front lines every day—getting our kids to school, making sure they have a hot meal at lunch, and keeping classrooms clean and safe. Yet each summer, they are forced to scrape together pennies to get by because they don’t have the unemployment insurance safety net like other workers who are out of work through no fault of their own.”

Hundreds of members and leaders of the Illinois AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 31, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Chicago Teachers Union 1 and SEIU Local 73, rallied in support of the legislation earlier today.

“Our thanks to Representative Evans and Senator Villivilam for their leadership on this important legislation,” said Dian Palmer, President of SEIU Local 73. “As the union representing more than 15,000 school support staff workers in Chicago and throughout Illinois, this bill is critical to the wellbeing of our members and their families.”

Every summer, thousands of support staff in Illinois public schools and universities are left without a paycheck and access to unemployment insurance. Providing unemployment during the summer months to these employees creates parity with workers doing the exact same work in the private sector.

“Support staff are the backbones of our schools, often overlooked, but always providing stability. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. It is time to treat them fairly and equitably by allowing them access to unemployment benefits in the summer months,” said Karl Goeke, President of the Illinois Education Association. “Year-round pay allows support staff to return to their same schools and students every year. Having a stable workforce in schools helps students perform better, preserves institutional knowledge, builds stronger relationships and better schools.”

Support staff eligible include school bus drivers, special education classroom assistants, paraprofessionals, lunchroom workers, security guards, janitors, crossing guards and all others in a supportive role in our public schools and universities.

“Our work is essential, and we deserve basic support. Yet while we are scraping together pennies to survive, billionaires in this state are using their untaxed wealth to buy influence and shape our elections,” remarked Megan Accardo, a paraprofessional and member of Grayslake Federation of Paraprofessionals and School Personnel, IFT Local 504. “That is not just unfair, that is a system out of balance. We are the backbone of our schools, but we are treated like we are disposable. Summer is not a break for us, it’s a financial crisis. The system has decided that the people who hold our schools together don’t deserve stability.”

These predominantly Black, Latine, and women workers are among the lowest paid in Illinois’ public education system and, unlike almost any other worker in the state, are not covered under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act.

“Educational support staff make our schools and universities work, but for too long, they’ve been expected to get by without income for the entire summer,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. “By allowing support staff access to the same unemployment benefits that other seasonal workers receive, we can build stronger schools and universities, stabilize the education workforce, and show support staff that their dedication and hard work is valued.”

The legislation will now head to the House for a full vote.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

Weaver, who also spent 30 years as a teacher in the Harvey school system, was the first Black person to be elected president of the IEA. After his tenure at IEA, he went on to become the president of the National Education Association, from 2002 to 2008, and later went on to serve in the leadership of Education International, an organization representing 29 million teachers and education workers in 169 countries.

He was committed to the idea that every child deserves to go to a great public school. Weaver told the Chicago Tribune in 2002: “My vision is that we work for schools where children are able to go free of harassment, intimidation and have an atmosphere conducive to good teaching and learning.”

“Reg was a pioneer in many ways. He led the way for people of color to see themselves in leadership at the state and national level. He was a mentor to so many state and national leaders. He created pathways to leadership and made room for folx when they arrived. He was kind, generous, and humorous. He always had a story to tell with a light in his eyes. He made people feel welcome, supported and valued,” said Karl Goeke, current president of the IEA.

He was born in Danville and graduated from Danville High School. He earned a degree in special education from Illinois State University in 1961 and a master’s degree from Roosevelt University in 1971. He has received honorary degrees from numerous universities across the country.

In 1973, Weaver first ran for president of IEA and lost. After that, he built a minority caucus in an effort to increase the number of people of color who attended the union’s Representative Assembly and whose decisions guided the path for the organization. He was able to organize that group and build coalitions between groups to help build power within the IEA.

In 1978, former Gov. Jim Thompson was elected head of the state. The IEA was the only union to back the Republican candidate. He credited IEA with pushing him to the win. As a result, he said, he would support the passage of collective bargaining for educators and did, signing the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act in 1984.

Weaver served as president of the Harvey Education Association from 1967-71, as an IEA board member from 1971-77, as IEA vice president from 1977-81, as IEA president 1981-1987, on the NEA executive committee 1989-95, NEA vice president 1996-2002 and as NEA president 2002-08.

He was the winner of the IEA-NEA Human Relations Award, which is now known as the Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award.

When he completed his final term as the NEA president in 2008, NEA Vice President Dennis Van Roekel said the following, “Thank you, Reg, for being the right man, in the right job, at the right time.”

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

“At a moment when public education is under coordinated attack across this country, Illinois should be leading with clarity, not confusion.

Governors–including Democrats like Andy Beshear in Kentucky—have made it plain: public dollars belong in public schools. Here in Illinois, where more than 90 percent of our students attend public schools, that principle should not be up for debate.

And yet, instead of fighting forward for our state’s public schools and the students who attend them, we are seeing hesitation from Governor Pritzker and active support from Comptroller Susana Mendoza for a Trump-backed federal tax credit scheme that opens the door to privatization, taxpayer-funded discrimination, and a race to the bottom in educating our young people. We call on Governor Pritzker to do the right thing here: Denounce this voucher scheme. Stand tall for public schools.

Let’s call this what it is: a resurrected school voucher program backed by and for the ultra-wealthy. It is unregulated, unaccountable, and designed to divert resources away from the schools that serve the overwhelming majority of Illinois students and into private institutions that are not required to serve every child.

At a time when our state should be strengthening its commitment to public education and working to fund the more than $5 billion our students are owed, Comptroller Mendoza’s position would align Illinois with the White House’s agenda that has consistently sought to dismantle it.

We do not have to guess what the consequences look like. Illinois educators, parents and voters have rejected vouchers before because we already witnessed how they siphon money out of public schools. We’ve seen how vouchers subsidize unregulated and unaccountable private schools that don’t hold the same responsibilities to rural students who need bus routes, let alone students with disabilities or English language learners who need specific supports. We understand what is at stake. This scheme from Washington is no different. It is a threat to the stability, equity and future of our public education system.

That’s why educators, parents and community members across Illinois have been fighting for full funding for our public schools—places where the needs of students and their families are met, and where parents and communities lead the way, not billionaires.

The path forward is not complicated: fully fund every level of our public schools, invest in the students we serve, and reject any policy—state or federal—that undermines the foundation of public education.”

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

The awards were presented during the IEA Representative Assembly (RA). The RA is the legislative body of the IEA and setsthe agenda for the year for the state’s largest union. There are 1,200 IEA delegates, guests and state dignitaries who attend the RA. 

The 2026 award winners are:  

President’s Award – Princess R. Moss, NEA vice president 

Princess R. Moss, an elementary school music teacher from Louisa County, Va., is vice president of the National Education Association. As the daughter of two school bus drivers who instilled within her the core beliefs of courage, honesty and the value of getting a good education, Moss is an unwavering champion of children and strong public schools. She is a staunch, outspoken ally of students, educators and families who represent communities that have been historically marginalized. These include Black, Brown and indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ communities, students with disabilities and those who move through the world representing the ways in which these communities intersect. Moss believes every child and every student —no matter their parents’ incomes, where they live, the language they speak at home, their race, religion, ethnicity, gender identification, or physical capabilities—deserves to attend a great public school. She believes in using every available tool to protect the rights of students and educators and protect public education. 

Friend of Education Award – Delia Ramirez, U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 3rd Congressional District 

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez is a dedicated public servant and lifelong advocate for working families, education and equity. Born and raised in Chicago to immigrant parents, she has devoted her career to uplifting underrepresented communities. Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Ramirez served in the Illinois General Assembly, where she championed affordable housing, healthcare access and education equity. As a state representative she led the passage of HB 2908 to establish an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools, responding to long-standing community demands. She also sponsored bills to increase funding for K-12 education, protect bilingual and immigrant students, and support educators’ voices in decision-making. As the first Latina elected to represent Illinois in Congress, she maintains her unwavering commitment to justice, opportunity and inclusive public policy. She has convened oversight hearings focused on the effects of federal policy cuts on students and teachers, demonstrating her ongoing dedication to public education. Ramirez is a fierce advocate for safety for all students and demanding ICE get out of our public schools. When one of her constituents, 14-year-old Steven, and his father were taken by ICE, She worked tirelessly with his family and the Hadley School community to help secure his release. Ramirez has been a true champion for the Latino community, as well as all students and educators. She is on the frontlines advocating for meaningful policies that ensure all communities are seen, heard and supported. 

Friend of Education – Bob Bruno, professor and director of the labor education program at the University of Illinois, Glen Ellyn District 41 school board president 

Bob Bruno is a fierce advocate and educator–with a passion for unionism that is unmatched. As the director of the labor education program, professor of labor and employment and director of the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois, one might say Bruno is a labor expert. As a Glen Ellyn District 41 school board member and current president, he has supported countless initiatives, overseen two successful referendum and building projects, navigated the ousting of a beloved superintendent and has stood up to a toxic school board to help build an environment of collegiality, collaboration and compassion. Perhaps most notable is Bruno’s advocacy on behalf of a student and parent who were detained by ICE. The student, Steven, is autistic. The stress from being separated from his mother, his home and his school severely impacted his mental health and Steven became sick and stopped eating. Bruno did not hesitate to take action. He and his wife paid for two of Steven’s teachers to join him at the Dilley Detention Center in San Antonio so they could visit with Steven. One teacher shared how she believes the visit could have saved his life. Thanks to advocacy from Bruno, Steven’s teachers, the Hadley School community and Rep. Delia Ramirez, Steven and his father were released and reunited with their family on March 3. Bruno’s advocacy is rooted in the belief that no student should be forgotten, regardless of their status or the barriers placed in their way. He has made a profound impact in his school community; his contributions to the labor movement and commitment to safety for all students make him an outstanding candidate for this honor. 

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.