Bloomington Education Association

05/22/2026

This is wonderful news.

IEA's legislation on Notice to Remedy, SB 2914, passed out of the Illinois House of Representatives. It passed the Illinois Senate in April, and both chambers passed the bill with veto-proof majorities. It now awaits Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature to become law.

05/18/2026

We are so fortunate that the IEA Summer Leadership Academy event is held annually right here in Bloomington-Normal at the ISU Bone Student Center. There are workshops, speakers, and networking events for both current office holders as well as aspiring/emerging union leaders. Some sessions offer continuing education hours for license renewal as well.

Registration is now open! The cost is very low at $45 through May 22nd, and BEA has funds to sponsor some members’ attendance. Questions? Check out the link below or reach out to Julie Riley or Dylan Toth!

** 🦜Early bird discount** Earn PD hours and hone your union skills at Summer Leadership Academy! SLA offers sessions on bargaining, grievance, equity, communications and more. Register now at the discounted rate of $45. The rate will go up to $90 on May 22 at 5 p.m. https://ieanea.org/events/summer-leadership/

05/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who stood up and walked in solidarity today! Your presence reinforces the message that public schools are important. That our students, their families, and our colleagues are more important than billionaires, corporations, and special interests.
Schools build communities.
Educators make all professions possible.

Here are some photos from BHS, BJHS, Oakland, Sarah Raymond, Irving, Stevenson, and Bent. Adding more as they keep rolling in! 😀

05/01/2026

Yeah, we do.

04/30/2026

We’re walking in Bloomington!

Get your gear dusted off. It's Red for Ed time this Friday May 1st.

03/25/2026

This another monumental loss. We continued to enjoy visits from Reg at RAs as recently as last year. Thank you, Reg, for all your efforts and accomplishments. We are where we are today because of you.

It is with great sadness that we share former IEA President Reginald “Reg” Weaver, trailblazer for collective bargaining rights in Illinois, passed away on Tuesday at 86.

Reg was an absolute legend. He had a gift at bringing people together and helped transform our union into the powerful force it is today. Reg was the first Black president of the IEA, serving from 1981 to 1987. He later went on to serve as president of the National Education Association, from 2002 to 2008.

Full obituary: https://ieanea.link/RegWeaver

03/20/2026

BEA will pay all expenses for early career members to attend this statewide conference right down the street! CPDUs will be offered. Register today, and select "pay by check" so BEA can pay on your behalf. DM us with any questions!

More info: https://web.cvent.com/event/6536de66-ac8d-4cc3-ab07-a77676faecc0/websitePage:0ec06611-4737-4d92-b368-748cb7b3c255

PLEASE SHARE:
The time to register for the 2026 IEA Early Career Spring Retreat is running out! ⏱️Registration closes THIS Tuesday, March 24 (deadline extended). Please consider joining us in Bloomington for PD sessions, union-related training, inspiring keynotes, networking, and door prizes. Ask your region/local for options to reimburse registration/travel expenses. Register TODAY -- and bring a friend!

Link to Agenda/Registration: https://web.cvent.com/event/6536de66-ac8d-4cc3-ab07-a77676faecc0/websitePage:0ec06611-4737-4d92-b368-748cb7b3c25

03/19/2026

Count us among the proud! We were honored to support our friend, colleague, and D87 parent, and to see him elected for a full term as our president! Congratulations, Karl!

The newly elected head of the state’s largest union lives in Bloomington. Illinois Education Association members chose Karl Goeke who had been serving as interim president following the death of IEA President Al Llorens in September.

03/15/2026

That's a wrap! Day three did not disappoint. We heard the last of the committee reports and completed action on nearly 30 new business items. The keynote was a roundtable discussion with President Goeke, the President of Education Minnesota, and two Minnesota local presidents. Their stories were heartbreaking, but their message of action and the relationship building that must underpin it was powerful.
Happiest of all, we cheered our Region 14 brother and D87 parent Karl Goeke as he was duly elected for a full term as IEA President. He's not done yet!

03/14/2026

Day two of the RA was a whirlwind of activity, reports, business, and fun. We're happy to represent our members and to do the work.
We saw Dylan Toth deliver the Educator Pipeline report, and Julie, Kristen, and our UFSPA colleague Nicole all spoke at the mic during the day.
We had a visit from Illinois Senate President Harmon who heard LOUD and CLEAR that we expect action to reform Tier 2 inequities.
Finally, President Karl Goeke reminded us of the difference we can, do, and must make every.damn.day.