ECC Faculty Union COPE

05/11/2026

ACTION ALERT! Please send a letter to your legislators asking they fully fund public education rather than giving handouts to private real estate mega-developers

IFT members have been making it clear for months that Illinois must invest in our schools, public higher education, and state services. We’ve shown the need. And we’ve shown the solution: Tax the ultra‑wealthy to raise the revenue our communities depend on. But based on what just happened in t...

04/28/2026

04/15/2026

New report shows how Tier 2 reforms can have a big economic impact in Illinois

🗣️ It’s time to !!! Full article in comments.

03/19/2026

LEGISLATIVE ACTION to support Adult Ed courses! Only takes a few minutes to help preserve quality in adult education.

The Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators Association (IACEA) that represents adult education -- GED, ESL, literacy -- across Illinois is asking educators to file a witness slip inOPPOSITION to HB5503: Adult Workforce Diploma Pilot.

Here is the link for submitting a witness slip: https://ilga.gov/House/hearings/details/3060/22593/CreateWitnessSlip/?legislationId=167477&GaId=18&View=Create

Currently, any Illinois educational institution or nonprofit can apply to offer adult education classes through ICCB. This bill would create a separate process with minimal guardrails that would allow for-profit diploma-mills to get state funds to offer diploma classes for $7,500 per student. To put this in perspective, adult education programs get approximately $850 per student of state funds.

Under this bill, the for-profit would be in direct competition with community colleges. Additionally, the for-profit would give the college a kick back of funding per student served in their district. This is a slippery slope for any predatory program in our area. To be clear, no community college in Illinois is supporting this because it would mean the loss of faculty and student in their adult education programs. ICCB will also be officially standing against this bill and will be present at the next hearing to testify.

Welcome to the Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly

03/16/2026

Tomorrow is ELECTION DAY! Make your voting plan!

Need to check your registration, find your polling place, or get election reminders?

Check out ECC's TurboVote site: ecc.turbovote.org

03/11/2026

ECC Faculty & Supporters -- Please act TODAY before 1pm to support Academic Freedom in Illinois! Takes about 3 minutes.

See message below from the Cook County College Teachers Union:

I am writing to ask you to file a witness slip in support of SB 2202, the Academic Freedom of Expression Act, sponsored by Senator Graciela Guzmán. This bill will be in committee Wednesday, March 11 at 1pm. We need to file our support in committee before then.

Currently, Illinois law has ZERO provisions for academic freedom. SB 2202 would establish statutory protections for academic freedom in Illinois for the first time. The bill empowers the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to adopt and enforce policies ensuring that faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom and that faculty and students enjoy full freedom in research and publication.

You can file a witness slip at this link. Here are short instructions:
Enter name, address, etc.

Firm/Business or Agency: Type "Self" (if you are a chapter chair and you want to list your chapter you can do this)

Title/Representation: Type "Self" or "N/A".

Position: Select "original bill" under the add Legislation Drop down
Select "Proponent" (support) under add position.

NOTE: then click on the "add position" button

Check the box by Record Of Appearance Only

Agree to the terms and click on the "I am not a robot" box.

03/10/2026

This Friday---Senator Elizabeth Warren in Elgin!!!

Join Junaid and Sen. Elizabeth Warren to learn about his campaign and the need for a true progressive in Congress. Junaid and Sen. Warren will be speaking before we all go out to canvass and Get Out The Vote! Bring a friend and hear how we can make progressive change happen in the 8th District!

02/16/2026

UNION MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS! Important info from the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) about the Illinois Comptroller Primary Election:

"SUAAction is proud to endorse Stephanie Kifowit for Illinois Comptroller in the Democratic Primary taking place on March 17, 2026.

The SUAAction Political Action Committee historically has not endorsed candidates in primary elections, but this situation was unique for the organization and its members. Stephanie Kifowit’s background and actions directly align with the goals of our organization and its membership. As a State Representative in the 84th district, Kifowit lead the charge on bringing equity and retirement security to Tier II university and community college employees. She has been a continuing advocate for the needs of public employees and retirees, as well as for working and retired families. Kifowit spearheaded common-sense reforms to Tier II. She has worked to get full funding for the pension funds, including the State University Retirement System (SURS). She has advocated for crucial health care benefits for retirees. Prior to her time in the General Assembly, she worked as a financial advisor, where she learned firsthand about the financial difficulties that retirees face. Kifowit is a marine, a public servant, and an advocate, and she will be a strong and balanced Comptroller.

Most importantly, we wish to remind our members that the Primary Election is on March 17, 2026. For most counties in the State, early voting has already started and there is no reason to wait to cast your important vote. Regardless of which county you live in, there are important races on both the Democratic ballot as well as the Republican ballot.

SUAAction is and always has been non-partisan, but the reality of elections in Illinois is that the partisan Primary is often the critical election in many parts of the State. As such, we encourage all our members to be informed and active voters so that SUAA can continue to have success in the Illinois General Assembly in protecting and enhancing your retirement security with quality healthcare and pensions, while making sure that funding for these benefits continues to improve."

Find info about your ballot and polling location here: ecc.turbovote.org

02/05/2026

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education’s “History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour” is set to come to Genoa-Kingston High School. But some staff and community members are concerned about a lack of transparency and safety with the event. WNIJ education reporter Peter Medlin has details....

02/05/2026