The IFT is seeking nominations for vice president to fill a vacancy on the IFT Executive board. Click for the IFT Executive Board nomination form. Due July 24.
2009 H1N1 Flu Outbreak Map
This map depicts confirmed and suspected cases of the 2009 Influenza A/H1N1 outbreak. (healthcare, emergency management, and technology).
Influenza A, H1N1 (Swine Flu)-- A clearinghouse with school closures, fact sheets and fliers, updates and resources. (AFT Leadernet)
State Universities Annuitants Association Legislation Page — includes pdfs on “Bills Passed,” “Legislative Summaries,” and Legislation,” as well as links to the General Assembly session schedule, “Windfall Elimination and Pension Offset” and more.
Employers' Anti-Union Behavior Is Intensifying -- For those who question the need for the Employee Free Choice Act, a new study by Cornell University professor Kate Bronfenbrenner provides a sobering and persuasive response. Her research shows that not only do employers engage in punitive campaigns of intimidation, but their tactics are getting worse.
UI trustees schedule emergency meeting -- The University of Illinois board of trustees has scheduled an emergency meeting for this morning. The meeting is believed to involve the scandal over political influence on admissions to the UI. (Champaign News-Gazette, June 25)
U. of Illinois hires state senator's wife -- The University of Illinois, under fire for giving preferred treatment to applicants based on political clout, has hired the wife of a Democratic state senator as an executive at the school's research park. (Chicago Tribune, June 23)
EIU board gives the OK for Renewable Energy Center -- The Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees took action Monday on getting a Renewable Energy Center and other energy conservation measures constructed and financed. (Charleston Times Courier, June 22)
U of I president refuses to release UIS coach records -- B. Joseph White, president of the University of Illinois, has refused to release records relating to the resignations of coaches at the University of Illinois at Springfield. In upholding a previous decision to deny a request from The State Journal-Register made under the state Freedom of Information Act, White declined to consider the newspaper’s request under amendments made to the law designed to make it easier to release records. (Springfield State Journal-Register, June 23)
GSU to host substitute teacher academy -- Governors State University will host a Substitute Teacher Academy with Resources workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11 at the school, 1 University Parkway, University Park. The workshop will teach new subs what to expect, what to do in an emergency, how to maintain classroom control and how to follow the teacher's lesson plans. (Southtown Star, June 21)
State has to cut somewhere -- For college students who depend on financial aid, news that Illinois' scholarship and grants programs may be cut 60 percent is understandably disappointing. But for a state trying to live within its means, this is a reasonable, responsible place to cut. (Belleville News-Democrat, June 24)
Easing a College Financial Aid Headache -- The Obama administration is moving to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa, a notoriously complicated form that asks students seeking financial aid for college as many as 153 questions. (New York Times, June 23)
Ackerman seeking changes in Phila. teachers' contract -- If the superintendent gets her way, come September Philadelphia public schoolteachers will have longer days and less say over where they work. (Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24)
Advice for U.S. on Accreditation As the federal government prepares to reconstitute its advisory committee on quality assurance, Inside Higher Ed solicits suggestions on the panel's charge and composition. (Inside Higher Ed, June 24)
Worse Than an F:Canadian University Pioneers New Grade for Failure -- Students bent on cheating should steer clear of Simon Fraser University. If they are caught, they could end up with a grade that breaks new ground in the realm of academic failure. (Chronicle of Higher Education, June 24)
Raising the Bar on Teacher Ed -- Teacher education programs are now required to meet higher standards or increase their emphasis on classroom training in order to achieve accreditation, according to new guidelines being announced today by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. (Inside Higher Ed, June 23)
No Charges, No End in E-Mail Fight -- UC Santa Barbara ends investigation into professor over his message to students comparing Israelis and Nazis. Debate over academic freedom continues (Inside Higher Ed, June 25)
OPINION: Tenure and Academic Freedom College campuses display a striking uniformity of thought. -- All over the country, colleges and universities are feeling the financial crunch: Endowments are down, students can't afford to pay tuition, and some state legislatures are even trimming higher-education budgets. Unfortunately, thanks to the recent ruling of a judge in Colorado, some college administrators have just lost one way to keep their costs under control. (Wall Street Journal, June 23)
FACULTY / STAFF
Lawyers' Advice to Colleges About Internet Gossip: Educate, Don't Regulate -- Legal action may fail to close objectionable sites, and disciplinary proceedings against site users may run into free-speech problems, experts at a conference for university lawyers said. (Chronicle of Higher Education, June 25)
Colleges Offer Online Help on Copyright Law for Instructors -- As instructors prepare for the fall semester, colleges are trying to make sure their teachers aren’t breaking any copyright laws in their lectures. (Chronicle of Higher Education, June 24)
700 Colleges Tied the Yellow Ribbon -- A matching program under the new, Post-9/11 GI Bill has proven popular with institutions seeking to enroll veterans. Includes Chicago State School of Pharmacy. (Inside Higher Ed, June 25)
Community colleges to get boost from U.S.CSC’s Schmidt says it’s a long time coming -- An Obama administration official said last week the White House will soon announce a plan to enhance the U.S. community college system in an effort to allow as many as 5 million more students or laid off workers to attend. (Galesburg Register-Mail, June 23)
UFT, Green Dot Reach Agreement for NY Charter School -- The United Federation of Teachers and Green Dot Public Schools on June 23 announced a three-year contract agreement for teachers at Green Dot New York Charter School in the Bronx, an agreement that AFT president Randi Weingarten says proves that unionized charter schools can be collaborative, innovative, and good for students and teachers. (AFT Leadernet, June 23)
LABOR
Principals Denounce Plan to Cut Two Training Days -- Their union said the proposal would lead to disruptions during the first days of school, and it has created a rift between principals and teachers. (New York Times, June 23)
Federal Saving From Lowering of Drug Prices Is Unclear -- Pharmaceutical companies promised to help narrow a gap in Medicare coverage of prescription drugs known as the doughnut hole, which is more likely to lower costs for individuals. (New York Times, June 24)
Why We Support the Employee Free Choice Actand the Freedom to Form Unions and Bargain -- Forty-seven artists. -- Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Tony award winners and nominees. Sitcom stars, character actors, musicians, comedians and Broadway performers.
All union members.
All support the Employee Free Choice Act and say so in this new video.
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>> 2 longtime UI workers elected to SURS board -- Two veteran University of Illinois employees elected to the new board of the State Universities Retirement System of Illinois want to see more responsibility and transparency in the board's operation. (Champaign News-Gazette, June 20)
SUAA MiniBriefing, June 1 -- “HJR 65 turned out to be the lucky number for SUAA. On Friday, Representative McCarthy introduced this resolution to create a Pension System Modernization Task Force to recommend pension benefit changes to modernize all state pensions. “
>> Bill Status of SJR0029 96th General Assembly -- Unemployment Insurance for Academic Workers Task Force --
Establishes the Unemployment Insurance for Contingent Academic Workers Task Force to (1) estimate costs to higher education institutions of a change in law that allows contingent academics to collect unemployment insurance and (2) examine the growth of employment of part-time contingent faculty over the past 10 years. (State of Illinois)
Teachers unions monitoring "two-tier" pension discussion -- Teachers union representatives are keeping a watchful eye on state legislators this weekend to see if they will take up a proposal to split the teacher pension system into two tiers. (Daily Herald, May 30)
Legislative Update: House OK's bill to pay pension fund --
The Illinois House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1186, legislation that requires the state to make the full pension payment required for the next fiscal year. The IFT supports full funding of pensions, but we are still concerned about the lack of revenue to fund this pension payment along with education and vital state services. The legislature must raise new revenue through tax increases before they adjourn this session. Read more. (IFT, May 27)
Two-tier pension plan amendments introduced in Senate -- Amendments to House Bill 2643 would establish a two-tier pension plan for all state -funded systems. Amendment #1 creates the two-tier plan; amendment #2 is the two-tier language along with funding and health insurance reductions. Please call your state senator and ask him or her to urge Sen. Harmon to withdraw or table these harmful amendments. Dial the main state of Illinois phone number, 217/782-2000, and ask to be connected to your senator. (IFT)
SURS 2009 Election candidates -- Eligible voters will receive only one ballot. Contributing Members will receive a Contributing Member ballot. Annuitants will receive an Annuitant ballot. Ballots will be mailed on or before May 29 and must be received by SURS no later than 10 a.m. on June 17.
AFSCME: Oppose Senate Bill 1292 -- "The current average monthly pension benefit for retired teachers, university employees, and state employees is NOT 'gold-plated.'"
Illinois AFL-CIO: Pension Benefit Cuts: OPPOSE SB 1292 (as amended) -- "These cuts are drastic and unnecessary given the overwhelming evidence that benefits are within the norm for comparable systems. This legislation would endanger the only retirement security for 78 percent of Illinois public employees and teachers that do not have access to a minimum retirement safety net such as Social Security. The proposed cuts also hurt the ability of public employers, schools and universities to attract and retain the best and the brightest to teach our children to deliver essential state services."
Union urges tax hike in radio, TV ads-- The largest state employees' union in Illinois is running radio and TV ads urging lawmakers to approve an income tax increase to pay for needed public services. (Springfield State Journal-Register, May 22)
OPINION: Quinn gloms onto a crisis -- It was director Quinn's first full-length slasher feature, and it was pretty scary, with metaphorical gore everywhere. (Greg Hinz Blog for Crain’s Chicago Business, May 18)
Gov. Quinn's 'slash & burn' scenario: In a letter to "Illinois citizen," the governor outlines “Slash and Burn” Budget Consequences. "Within the next two weeks, the General Assembly will approve a new state budget . . On March 18, I presented lawmakers a proposed budget for fiscal year 2010 that will rescue our state from financial ruin while protecting its most needy citizens. (The Dome Blog, The Springfield State Journal- Register, May 18)
Quinn presents "doomsday" scenario for Illinois budget -- In a speech to the City Club of Chicago, Quinn described the "doomsday" budget that Illinois would face if it had to close an $11.6 billion budget without raising taxes. ( Springfield State Journal- Register, May 18)
WIU / UPI MEMBERS attend a fund raiser for Rep. Phil Hare of the 17th Dist. at the home of UPI member Pamela Godt. Guest include Peter Cole, Rep. Hare, Steve Rock, Janna Deitz, Pamela Godt and Anita Werling.
IFT says: Call your state representative today and tell him/her to vote “no” on SB 1292! -- The bill passed out of committee on a 6-4 vote. Representatives who voted for the pension cuts were: Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park), Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook), Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), James Brosnahan (D-Evergreen Park), Daniel Burke (D-Chicago), and Deborah Graham (D-Chicago). Voting against the bill were Representatives Raymond Poe (R-Springfield), Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg), Dan Brady (R-Bloomington), and Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago).
The bill drastically cuts pension benefits for anyone hired after Jan. 1, 2010.
Patty is the office support specialist for the departments of Mathematical Sciences and Music at UIS.
"Patty is extremely dedicated to her students, faculty and job responsibilities. She goes out of her way to provide service to students and faculty, and does so in a friendly, professional manner,." wrote one nominator.
But we know Patty as a vice president of the UIS / UPI Chapter, and we saw her just last month at the House of Delegates.
David Radavich distinguished himself with UPI Local 4100, as well as EIU. He served as president of Eastern's chapter and more recently as chairman of the UPI Trustees / Audit Committee. In this position, he did excellent service in many areas including the clarification of election rules and the dissemination of election results.
We congratulate David on attaining this honor and wish him happiness in retirement.
WIU presents awards to Karen Sears, Sue Kaufman; Citizen Action honors Kaufman
AT RIGHT ABOVE: Outgoing UPI President Sue Kaufman and outgoing WIU / UPI Chapter President Karen Sears receive plaques in appreciation for their services.
AT RIGHT: Outgoing UPI President Sue Kaufman accepts accolades from Citizen Action at its annual convention in Peoria. At the podium: Lynda DeLaforge, Citizen Action co-director; Sue; Mitch Vogel, past UPI president; and William McNary, Citizen Action co-director.
>> March to mediocrity-- Gov. Pat Quinn surely gets far more mail than he has time to read. There's one letter on his desk that he should pick up right away, though. It's from the Faculty Senate at Chicago State University and it asks Quinn to dismiss the school's trustees before they can appoint a new president. (Chicago Tribune, April 25)
Attend a 'Fair Solutions for a Fair Budget' forum
Plan on attending one of the “Fair Solutions for a Fair Budget” forums sponsored by the Illinois Federation of Teachers and AFSCME. Area lawmakers will attend to hear your comments.
Click here to learn more and find out how to contact your lawmakers. (IFT)
Illinois faces a multi-billion dollar budget crisis a result of our national economic problems and the state's long-term failure to address revenue reforms to correct its structural deficit. The state owes billions for public health services and pension payments. Higher education funding has fallen to FY 2002 levels, and the state must replace thousands of state workers who provide critical services.
PHOTO ABOVE: ZanyNO 2%hats attracted media attention at Advocacy Day April 22. Here Jeff Ashley, UPI's associate legislative director, seriously addresses a reporter. "No 2%" refers to UPI's objection to an increase in the contributions working SURS participants would pay if Gov. Quinn's budget is approved.
No 2%:The Illinois Pensions are at great risk. University Professionals of Illinois, along with our affiliates (the IFT, the AFT and the AFL-CIO) want to focus you attention on this important issue. The red circle at the left means that we object to a 2% increase in current working participants' contribution to SURS -- the State University Retirement System. Gov. Quinn's budget proposes that the contributions of currently working participants to SURS be raised from 8.5% to 10.5%. This amounts to a 2% pay cut to all contributing to SURS.
>> Make your voice heard: Make plans today to attend the April 22 Advocacy Day. Contact your UPI Chapter President for details.
>> No 2% Poster Download this 8.5 x 11 poster and put on your door or window to show support
>> Find out who your legislators are. Find your legislators by district, by official,by your address or by your zip code. If you click on their names, you can see contact information.
>> Our Opinion: State workers hit too hard -- “We must point out the burden [Gov. Quinn’s] budget places on state workers and teachers. We have heard from many public employees willing to do their part, but we agree that the governor’s proposal shifts too much of the burden.(Springfield State Journal-Register, March 27)
The Illinois AFL-CIO and the state’s public employee unions today criticized Governor Quinn’s proposed plan to cut retirement and health care benefits for teachers, state health care workers, prison guards and front line service employees. (Illinois Federation of Teacher, March 19)
>> Governor’s budget plan is flawed: Statement of IFT President Ed Geppert, Jr. -- Governor Quinn’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget recommends a tax increase – a much needed and long overdue action to provide desperately needed funding for our state. Unfortunately, this one bit of positive news is submerged in a flawed budget proposal that won’t fix the state’s structural deficit and will cause serious harm to those who deliver education and state services. (Illinois Federation of Teacher, March 18)
>> TRS opposes cuts to state pension funding -- Gov. Quinn's plan to balance the state’s budget by slashing the already underfunded Illinois pension funds will create even more red ink for generations to come. (Illinois Federation of Teacher, March 19)
Academic freedom status discussed -- The discussion of how information technologies such as recording devices and the Internet affect academic freedom was the basis for the University Professionals of Illinois and Faculty Senate Forum. (Daily Eastern News, March 10)
NEIU's former UPI chapter president, Ed Hunt is still on the picket line. His quote about the Temple Association of University Professionals and a photo of UPI Local 4100 Executive Vice President John Murphy, both ran in the Temple News.
KEY FACTS:Employees Free Choice Act --Jamie Daniel, UPI’s director of organizing, recommends this Web site. She says that you “can find out more about the Act at the AFL-CIO Web site, which is especially useful in responding to common misinformation about what the Act would mean vis-a-vis election secrecy, the time to contract, etc.
"As you know, anti-union forces are spending lots of money to discourage popular support, and are more likely to win if we don't counter the widespread ignorance about the Act upon which they are depending,” she says.
And, if you would like to find out more about the more narrowly defined "Scholars in Support of the Free Choice Act" campaign, and to sign on to that petition, please go to the site at the University of Massachusetts,
UPI Local 4100, IFT, AFT. AFL-CIO
11 E. Adams, Suite 1106, Chicago,
IL 60603
Phone: 312.663.5916 Fax: 312.663.3833
