UIS needs to respect the workers who keep the school running | Opinion

Allan Bettis

Special to the State Journal-Register

April 14, 2026, 3:31 a.m. CT

I’ve worked as a building service worker at the University of Illinois Springfield for seven years. I take pride in what I do. My job is to make sure students walk into clean classrooms, that buildings are safe, and that the campus runs the way it should. Some may think it’s not glamorous work, but it’s essential.

I’m also a proud husband and a father of two amazing children. My kids are growing fast, and like any parent, I want to be there for them. I want to help with homework, sit down for dinner, and be part of their lives in a real way. But that’s not always possible. Like many support staff at UIS, I have to work a second job just to make ends meet.

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