The gavel fell at 12:20 pm on Saturday, ending one of the most remarkable IEA Representative Assembly’s (RA) in memory.
The 2010 RA stands out because of the resolve displayed by the more than 1,260 delegates to fight back, using all tools available, to overcome the problems facing our more than 133,000 members.
Delegates voted to empower IEA leaders to advocate to preserve the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) and the State University Retirement System (SURS) for current and future members.
Delegates not only passed a budget for the coming school year, they agreed to invest in the most significant media campaign in IEA history. The campaign will feature statewide radio ads as well as other media such as billboards and Web advertising. The goal, in the words of President Ken Swanson, is to “Go on offense and tell the public and policymakers the truth about who IEA members are and what we contribute to our state and communities.” You will be hearing a lot more on this in the months to come.
Political Fireworks
The RA will also be remembered as the Fort Sumter of the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
State Sen. Bill Brady (R) and Gov. Pat Quinn (D), went at each other hard on economic issues, with Quinn clearly stating his support for a tax increase that would reduce the need for devastating layoffs and program cuts in Illinois schools.
Brady stood by his belief that more cuts are needed in education and elsewhere to bring about a recovery, a plan that, if it was successful, would take years to generate any benefits.
On Monday, we will post the entire Brady-Quinn discussion, which was live-streamed on the IEA Website. As Rich Miller of Capitol Fax said, it’s a must-see.
More on the RA
The Race to the Top update presented by Executive Director, Audrey Soglin can be seen here. Information about awards presented at the RA is here. And don’t miss the pictures that photographer Robert Pope shot throughout the three-day event. See them here.
The delegates worked hard this week in Rosemont. Harder work, for all of us, is still to come. Don’t forget, Lobby Day is April 21.