APRIL 2019
ICYMI: Governor Pritzker released rates for his Fair Tax proposal. Under this plan, 97% of Illinois taxpayers will receive some tax relief. Read more about it here, and use the Fair Tax Calculator to see how this proposal would affect you. Share this video from Think Big Illinois to show how the governor’s proposal will put the middle class first while asking the wealthy to pay their fair share.
April 2 is Equal Pay Day. This date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Share this graphic on social media on April 2 with the hashtag #EqualPayDay. Some sample text:
- Women have been shortchanged for too long doing the same work as men. This #EqualPayDay, and every day, let's fight to make it right.
- Although we have made great strides in America, we’re reminded that over the course of her career, a woman will lose nearly half a million dollars due to the gender pay gap. #EqualPayDay
We’re proud of our members who received Golden Apple awards this year. Four of the 10 awards went to IFT teachers!
UIC GEO members, Local 6297, are still on strike fighting for dignity and financial stability. Show your #solidarity on social media for @uicgeo with the hashtag #UICGEOstrike.
Catch up on the latest from Springfield with the IFT Legislative Update.
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos made news recently for proposing a budget that cuts funding for Special Olympics and insisting that large class sizes were … better.
April is National Volunteer Month. Share opportunities to give back, or recognize a group that has done so. Has your local gone above and beyond in your community? Share your story with Jennifer Hill so that IFT can recognize our members who demonstrate the values that make us proud to be IFT.
April 7-13 is National Library Week, and Tuesday, April 9 is National Library Workers Day (#NLWD19). This year’s theme is “Libraries = Strong Communities,” and hashtags include #NationalLibraryWeek and #LibrariesTransform. Thank your librarians or find a local library-related event & share that information with your members. (Also, did you know your school can receive free or discounted books through First Book?) On the American Library Association’s website, you can easily share graphics to social media to show your support. Sample text for tweets and posts:
- Libraries are the heart of our cities, schools, and campuses. #LibrariesTransform #NationalLibraryWeek
- Librarians design programs that give students a lifelong love of learning. #LibrariesTransform #NationalLibraryWeek
Administrative Professionals Day takes place on Wednesday, April 24. Thank the administrative professionals at your workplace: fun ideas show your gratitude can be found on our “Thank You” Pinterest board.
The U.S. House of Representatives just overwhelmingly passed a bill to honor paraprofessionals and school-related personnel. If the bill passes in the Senate, it will establish an award program within the U.S. Department of Education to recognize the outstanding work of classified school employees who support students in prekindergarten through high school. Write your senators and ask them to support the Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act.
Despite the best efforts of privatizers and so-called education reformers, Americans support public schools and their teachers. After overplaying their hands and abandoning community coalitions, the privatizers are playing defense, while Americans back teachers who are fighting for the future of public education.
AFT wants to hear from you! The AFTvotes website launched last month and invites members to take a 2020 presidential endorsement survey.
