UPI at WIU

06/11/2026

The award rules the layoffs be rescinded, and employees receive backpay.

06/10/2026

The arbitrator’s order entitles the employees to back pay and requires the university to reinstate the workers, if they wish to return to their positions.

06/10/2026

Big News

"The arbitrator’s decision is powerful vindication of the union's position and of the faculty and staff who stood together to defend student needs and educational quality."MACOMB, Ill. — The University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) Local 4100 is celebrating a major victory for students, facult...

05/29/2026

IFT members from across Illinois came together for a powerful Lobby Day. We met with lawmakers, rallied with our coalition, and made it clear that students and communities must come before corporate tax breaks.

We delivered backpacks to lawmakers that served as reminders of what students are missing when funding isn't adequate, and how we can raise revenue to fill the gaps. (Spoiler alert - it's taxing the ultra wealthy!)

Let's keep making calls and writing letters through May 31 when session ends.
📲 (773) 985-7899
📝 https://bit.ly/tax-the-ultra-wealthy

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Illinois has one of the lowest numbers of state workers per capita in the country, and communities are feeling it.

At the same time, lawmakers are advancing megaproject tax breaks that let corporations pay less—while public services go underfunded.

With real revenue, we can rebuild the workforce, ensure efficient services, and strengthen the safety nets our communities depend on.

It’s time to fund what works. Tell lawmakers: https://bit.ly/tax-the-ultra-wealthy
IFPE Local 4408

05/27/2026

This was taken at today's IFT Lobby Day. UPI joined IFT and other unions from across the state to demand revenue reform to fund a better Illinois.

05/21/2026

Please help us keep the pressure on to pass equity funding in this legislative session. Even if you've already written a letter, please do so again. Investing in public higher education is a public good.

With just two weeks of session left, urge budgeteers, and the House and Senate Higher Education Appropriations Committees to support the passage of SB13/HB1581, the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act. Illinois must invest in its institutions of higher education and recognize them f...

05/15/2026

The title here is incomplete. It's the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act. A longer version of this editorial appears in Community News Brief.

"The bill would direct new funding to the universities furthest from adequacy first," writes Merrill Cole.

05/11/2026

The proposed megaprojects bill represents a major transfer of public resources away from schools and into the hands of ultra-rich developers, writes John Miller, president of UPI Local 4100.