l nkU N I O N

Even before the first General Session opened, the union’s 2013 Convention promised to be the most dynamic, engaging IFT event ever. Thanks to the energy, effort, and activism of more than 500 delegates and guests from around state, our members took huge strides to strengthen our union and prepare for the challenges ahead.

If you couldn’t attend and didn’t have a chance to follow the action online, here’s a brief summary of key events and business conducted at Convention 2013 in Rosemont on October 18-20.

Inspiring guests and speakersA room-shaking performance of

The Star Spangled Banner by famed Chicago Blackhawks national anthem singer Jim Cornelison kick-started the convention lineup of special guests and speakers, and the energy never let up! Delegates and guests heard from a bevy of dynamic union leaders, including Illinois AFL-CIO President Mike Carrigan, Chicago Federation of Labor President Jorgé Ramirez, as well as political guests U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and State Sen. Melinda Bush, an IFT member and freshman senator from Lake County. Although their remarks varied, the theme was clear - we’ve been under attack, but the tide is turning.

“In the 2014 elections it’s going to be ‘game on’,” said Ramirez. “We better be ready for it.”

2 Our Path ForwardIFT President explains the “(Un)common Sense on the Common Core”

3 Far From Over Our fight for pension fairness will continue in court

5 Say Thank YouRecognize the essential contributions of PSRPs in our schools and campuses

10 Wolf in Sheep’s ClothingDon’t be fooled by rhetoric from the Illinois Policy Institute

Connecting you to your union, because together we are stronger.

WINTER 2013

IFT Members

In the 2014 elections it’s going to be ‘game on’. We better be ready for it.”~ Jorgé Ramirez, Chicago Federation of Labor President

at Convention 2013

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

As the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) garner more press and attention, some of the difficulties and tensions around the initiatives are coming into focus. While this may be new to some in the public, it’s no surprise to IFT members.

Recently, I was on a panel at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, along with a school reformer and a superintendent. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan also spoke at that event. There were a number of

teachers and concerned parents in the audience who spoke up about their frustrations and concerns about the Common Core. I share their concerns and concentrated my remarks on the need for intelligent and reasonable implementation of the standards.

To me, it’s a civil rights issue. Why should only some students have access to a rich, demanding curriculum and the resources required to teach those standards well: for example, arts classes, and a concentration on critical think-ing and problem solving, rather than rote memorization and slavish practice for standardized testing. Why should a

intrusion. Some on the political left may oppose anything framed as a “standard” that could infringe on teacher autonomy. But many are just fed up by the botched implementation and lack of resources, which reminds teachers of misguided school reform efforts of recent times and the horrific over-emphasis on testing. They tell excruciating stories of students derailed from real instruction to undergo test prep and direct instruction in severely under-resourced schools.

I agree that we must end what Diane Ravitch calls the “reign of error” – the damaging war on public education, the “race to the top” policies that punish kids and teachers while starving neighbor-hoods and schools of the resources they need to thrive. The education “reforms” of the last 15 years have been atrocious and hurtful, but we’ve fought back. I would submit that the IFT—all of us, from every member to our locals to leadership and staff—have been impor-tant in turning the tide. More than ever recently, we are driving the agenda of change for a more fair, just, humane and successful public education system.

Common Core is not antithetical to that. We cannot let good standards be the collateral damage of a testing regime run amok. Even though some want bad tests, too many tests, and teacher evaluations based on tests, that doesn’t mean we cannot allow high standards to help all students to achieve.

Union Link is published four times a year by the Illinois Federation of Teachers. 500 Oakmont Lane, Westmont, IL 60559.

Phone: 630/468-4080www.ift-aft.org

Daniel J. MontgomeryPresidentChief Operating Officer

Karen GJ LewisExecutive Vice President

Marcia K. CampbellSecretary-Treasurer

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Union Link, 500 Oakmont Lane, Westmont, IL 60559.

MEMBERS: To change your address, notify your local union treasurer.

Aviva BowenDirector of Communications

Beth CamplainMedia Director

Amy Excell-BaileyMedia Director Kenzo ShibataMedia Director

GOING GREEN:Union Link is printed on recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and printed with environmentally- friendly soy-based inks.

© 2013 ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, AFT, AFL-CIO

student in Lake Forest have access to one kind of algebra, while a student in East St. Louis gets another? Does algebra vary based on a student’s geography? Should complex sources of thought about the human condition (like Oedipus, Shake-speare, Toni Morrison, or Derek Wal-cott) be studied only in the wealthiest of school districts or only by honors or AP students? Should the value of the land where a family lives determine the quality of education their children receive? No, because all students deserve to be chal-lenged to reach their highest potentials.

Our union has always stood steadfast in the defense of civil and human rights. Just a few years ago, it was the AFT and its affiliates, led by then-President Al Shanker, speaking up nationally for children on the issue of high standards. The civil rights community joined us then and are with us today in support of the common core, for they, too, see its potential to bring more equity and justice to our terribly unequal educational system.

So, why are some teachers and parents opposed? (And let me be clear: it is a minority opposition; a recent survey of AFT members shows strong support.) Some on the political right believe in states’ rights and see the CCSS as federal

(Un)Common Sense on the Common CoreDaniel J. MontgomeryPresident

OUR PATH FORWARD

UNION LINK | WINTER 2013 3

So what must we do? We must engage everyone involved in education to get this right, and for that we’ll need time, and plenty of it. Teachers will need more time to collaborate and opportunities for professional development to engage in instructional strategies aligned to the CCSS. Students will need time to develop deep understanding of content, and parents will need time to understand what this means for student achievement.

CCSS was designed to establish broad performance standards for student achievement in the core academic disciplines of English Language Arts and Mathematics, with literacy standards for Science and Social Studies. These standards do not say anything about what teachers should do, but rather what stu-dents need to know. They allow educators to use their creativity and professional judgment to decide the most appropriate strategies and curricula for their students.

We cannot have school districts that think adapting curriculum means simply buying new textbooks or off-the-shelf instructional units sold by for-profit companies. We know better.

Then, the asses sments need to be thoughtfully aligned with the standards and curricula, and also developed by teachers.

Which brings me to my final point. Along with other states, Illinois is part of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). We are slated to roll out a new statewide assessment in 2014-15 that will measure student achievement on the CCSS. We will not be ready.

In our own IFT survey of our members in March of this year, only 14 percent of you characterized your knowledge and readiness for the new standards as “expert.” And, right now, only 25 percent of Illinois students attend schools with the infrastructure in place to actually give the test on a computer (as it is intended). And there are conse-quences for both students and teachers based on this test.

The AFT recently called on officials to “put the brakes on stakes,” and the IFT joins in this demand. We believe that any consequences for students or teachers, deriving from this new assessment, be put on hold until we can address is-sues of resource sufficiency and equity. Put simply, if we cannot be allowed to prepare ourselves and our students fully for the new assessments, then the results shouldn’t count. No teacher or parent wants their students to have to take tests for which they have not been prepared. This is not too much to ask.

In Solidarity,

E-mailDanI’d love to hear from you! Send your thoughts about Common Core or anything else on your mind to me at emaildan@ift-aft.org.

Why should the value of the land where a family lives determine the quality of education their children receive?

Just 24 hours after receiving a 325-page bill, Illinois lawmakers convened in Springfield on December 3 to pass Senate Bill 1, pension-slashing legislation that robs IFT members and nearly 1 million other workers of their life savings. Despite vocal opposition from numerous lawmakers, enormous outcry from our members and retirees, and vehement testimony from the IFT and members of our We Are One Illinois coalition, the bill passed with the minimum votes necessary in the Senate (30-24-3) and in the House (62-53-1). At press time, it was expected that Governor Quinn will sign it into law.

When he does, the IFT will join our union partners in an aggressive challenge to this bill in court.

Our long, hard fought battle for fairness, dignity, and retirement security will continue. Do not lose heart. Together, our efforts have made a significant impact. Across Illinois, we held countless rallies, sent hundreds of thousands of e-mails and letters, and made lawmakers’ phones ring off the hook. You spread our message on Twitter, Facebook and beyond. They know you are paying attention – before, during, and after their votes.

Make no mistake, this is far from over.

FAR FROM OVER

MoreDetailsWatch ift-aft.org for details about the next phase of our fight as they become available.

UNION LINK | WINTER 20134

MoreInfoVisit cms.illinois.gov/thetrail for additional information and important updates.

Attention retirees! As you likely know by now, changes to

the Medicare Advantage plan will take

effect on February 1, 2014. If you are

an IFT retiree who is enrolled in

Medicare and participate in a state

health plan, this will affect you.

The enrollment period for the current

year ended on December 13.

Background on plan changesCMS (Central Management Services)

is enacting changes to health insurance

plans for retirees and dependents who

are eligible and enrolled in Medicare

plans. The three Medicare Advantage

plans will provide medical and

prescription drug coverage.

These plans include:

•MedicarePartA–HospitalInsurance

•MedicarePartB–MedicalInsurance

•MedicarePartD–Prescription Drug Coverage

Coverage will be provided by either

United Healthcare, Coventry Advantra, or

Humana, depending on where you reside

and the plan you have chosen.

UNION LINK | WINTER 2013 5

Who will be affected?

ONLY retirees and their eligible dependents in Teachers Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP), College Insurance Program (CIP) or the State Employee Retiree Health Insurance plan who are currently enrolled in/eligible for Medicare coverage have been asked to choose a Medicare Advantage plan. If you do not meet these criteria, the changes will not apply to you.

To enroll in one of the Medicare Advantage programs being offered:

• YoumustbeenrolledinbothMedicarePartsAandB;and

• Ifyouhavecoverageforyourdependents,theyallmustbeenrolledinboth MedicarePartsAandB.

Enrollment changesThere are two CRITICAL changes affected retirees must note:

• Thisyear’senrollmentperiodendedonDecember13.Infutureyears, enrollment will be held each fall. This is a key change from the previous May enrollment period. • Retireeswhofailedtoselectandcompleteenrollmentinoneofthe Medicare Advantage plans by December 13 will no longer be able to participate in TRIP, CIP or State Retiree Health Insurance subsidies. Under current law, participants will NOT be permitted to re-enroll in these plans in the future. (If you did not enroll by December 13, Medicare coverage will continue, but the state subsidies provided by the state plans will end.)

When is the effective date for the new coverage?

New coverage will take effect on February 1, 2014. Current coverage will continue through January 31, 2014.

Where can I go for more information?

• Checkthe“TotalRetireeAdvantageIllinois”(TRAIL)website. Visit cms.illinois.gov/thetrail for comprehensive information, including plans, coverage maps, rates, and more. • Reviewtheenrollmentkitthatallaffectedparticipantsshouldhavereceivedin November. This kit includes the TRAIL decision guide, which explains the plans.

• CallCMSat800/442-1300 to speak with a dedicated benefits representative.

Q

Q

Q

A

A

A

Retiree Health Care

Changes

Imagine spending time in a hospital staffed only by doctors. Once your doctor visits you during morning rounds, you are left on your own every day. No nurses to assist with treatment, nurse’s aides to monitor your condition, no lab technicians to run critical tests, no dieticians to ensure you receive nutritious meals, no custodial staff to keep your room. That is truly a frightening scenario! The same would be true for our schools and higher education institu-tions. Just like hospitals with only doctors, schools without the critical support services provided by PSRPs (Paraprofessionals and School Related Personnel) would be scary places. Although you can hardly turn on a television or radio, pick up a newspaper or magazine, or check your Facebook page without hearing about the impor-tance of quality education, rarely do you hear about the critical roles PSRPs play in our schools, colleges and universities.

Just think about what PSRPs do at a typical elementary school each day. Bus drivers pick up our children and transport them safely to and from school. Custodial staff and mainte-nance workers labor before and after school to make sure the lawns are mowed, windows are washed, and the hall floors, classrooms, and bathrooms are clean and safe. School secretaries run the administrative office, where they solve a million everyday problems

– from calling parents about forgot-ten homework to finding lost lunch money to keeping student attendance records. Cooks and lunchroom staff arrive at the crack of dawn to make sure kids get a nutritious meal, the only meal some children will get each day. Teaching assistants in the classrooms work one-on-one or in small groups with children to support learning and provide assistance to kids with special needs. And when the bell rings for recess, trained playground supervisors watch for bullying and acts of violence by students and keep kids safe as they play.

A trip to the local community college or university campus would be much the same. Higher education support staff members perform a variety of services necessary for college students to be successful in their educational pursuits. From the clerks in the offices who assist students with registering for class and getting financial aid to the public safety personnel who keep campuses safe, PSRPs serve adult students as they navigate the path to a fulfilling career and economic security.

It is impossible to imagine our lives without them. All PSRPs, whatever position they hold, are dedicated to maintaining safe and orderly schools and campuses. Their work supports learning and is essential to academic achievement. In recognition of their contributions, the State of Illinois

designated the third Wednesday of each November as PSRP Day.

In our unions and in our schools, PSRPs deserve our gratitude EVERY day. Whether you are a local leader or member, teacher or public employee, parent or grandparent, make a commit-ment today to tell all of the PSRPs in your union and in your life just how important they are to the educational process and how much you appreciate what they do. Encourage your school administration to do so, as well. A simple “Thank You” goes a long way.

In Solidarity,

Marcia Campbell, IFT Secretary-Treasurer (and proud PSRP!)

SAY A SIMPLE

THANKSQ A&

CELEBRATE PSRPS

EVERYDAY!

CELEBRATE PSRPS

EVERYDAY!

TO PSRPs

MoreTipsFor more creative ways to say “thanks” follow Illinois Kids First on Pinterest.

pinterest.com/ILKidsFirst

Health Care

So IFT members must fight back and never give up. “They will tell you that you have been defeated, brothers and sisters, and if you stop the clock they will be right,” he said. “But don’t stand down, stand up. Push forward. Say, ‘No we’re right’ when they say, ‘You’re wrong.’ Fight on until you win, and POWER FORWARD!”

UNION LINK | WINTER 20136

POWER FORWARD

IFT

2013 IFT CONVENTIONOctober 18-20 InterContinental Chicago O’Hare

IFT President Dan Montgomery fired up attendees with his poignant remarks. “No one has defended schools like we have. No one has the students’ interest at heart like we do; no one works to sup-port schools and state services like we do...So let no one say that we are just in it for adults. Let no one say that we are thugs; let no one say the unions are the problem!” Delegates saw Montgomery’s passion reflected in a premiere screening of “Power Forward,” a moving video that showcases our union, our members, and our collective efforts on behalf of those we serve.

Rounding out the list of inspiring speakers, AFT President Randi Weingarten explained how our national union is working to reclaim the promise of public education and services. “We need to create a majority to defeat the existential threats working to divide us. Let’s bring people together in our unions, in our churches, and in our communities to be about great public services, great public

schools, good jobs and a fair economy for everyone.”

The most powerful moment of the convention came on the final day as acclaimed journalist and best-selling author John Nichols raised his fist in solidarity and brought down the house with his humorous, passionate key-note address. Nichols talked about the struggles that workers are facing across the nation in the midst of our nation’s “Dollarocracy,” which he explained is allowing billionaire investors and CEOs to dictate the narrative and force their own selfish positions. “We’re not a Democracy, we’re a Dollarocracy,” he said. “Money can take ideas that we all know are flawed and make them part of the message.”

Nichols illustrated his idea with powerful human stories about the labor uprising in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin in 2011 when Gov. Scott Walker attempted to eliminate workers’ rights - and their unions. Don’t think it can’t happen here, he warned delegates: “I know that here in Illinois you may think something like that is impossible,” Nichols said. “There is still this real-ity that you’re in a position of strength. Your strong unions stretch from East St. Louis to Zion.

“But if you don’t use your power when you have it, you run the risk of having somebody in charge who is going to take apart your power … If we let them grab that power, we will never get it back. The rest of the country is going to look to Illinois. We’re going to follow you,” he added.

UNION LINK | WINTER 2013 7

2014-16 IFT OFFICERS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Daniel J. Montgomery IFT President

Karen GJ Lewis Executive Vice President

Marcia K. Campbell Secretary-Treasurer

Vice Presidents

Jeff Adkins-Dutro Local 780

Veronica Aquirre Local 4408

Elaine Barlos Local 943

Valarie Bordenkircher Local 809

John Braglia Local 1211

Michael Brunson Local 1

Anthony F. Casalino Local 1642

Sharon R. Crockett Local 1220

Stacy Davis-Gates Local 1

Michael Day Local 3939

Thomas Dowd Local 1600

Sara Echevarria Local 1

Deb Foertsch Local 1925

Lee Ann Gemmingen Local 6600

Steve Grossman Local 1274

Leslie Harder Local 1272

Brandon Johnson Local 1

Jennifer Johnson Local 1

Alice Kautsky Local 571

Lynn Kearney Local 540

Karen Kendall Local 943

Thomas Kosowski Local 4408

Susan Malkovich Local 817

Bruce Malone Local 4818

Richard Manley Local 604

Kristine Mayle Local 1

Corinne A. McGue Local 504

John Miller Local 4100

William Naegele Local 1600

Jackson Potter Local 1

Kelly Regnier Local 504

Annette Rizzo Local 1

Jane Russell Local 571

Kathy Schwarz Local 504

Jesse Sharkey Local 1

Phil Staley Local 604

Kathleen Stenson Local 604

Elinor Sullivan Local 4100

Katie Walkiewicz Local 6300

Christel Williams Local 1

Charting the path forwardWe conducted essential union business to help the IFT move ahead on our path forward at Convention, as well. There was no contest when it came to selecting top leaders; delegates unanimously reelected IFT President Dan Montgomery, Executive Vice President Karen GJ Lewis, and Secretary-Treasurer Marcia Campbell to new three-year terms as officers. Delegates also elected forty IFT Vice Presidents to serve on the Executive Board to represent their locals and councils from around the state.

Delegates debated and voted on dozens of key resolutions to set the union’s policy on issues ranging from fair economy to forging alliances to engaging younger members. An innovative and interactive exercise called “World Café” brought delegates together in small, diverse groups on the convention floor to share ideas that were then drafted into a special order of business. Delegates passed this special order unanimously the next day, reading aloud together the final resolve in a moving demonstration of unity and purpose:

“RESOLVED, that we, the delegates of the 2013 IFT Convention, pledge to be innovative, energetic and committed to educating ourselves and each other on the issues that impact those whom we serve; to build invigorated organiza-tional structures that are strong, effective, democratic and inclusive; and to commit that we, as a union, operate at a higher standard than ever before and work together to develop and hold each other accountable to power our union forward.”

In another effort to focus on the future and build the union, the IFT hosted more than two dozen young member guests at Convention 2013. In addition to being on the floor during General Sessions to see our union in action, these young members attended profes-sional development and union leadership workshops, networked and socialized with their peers from around the state, and participated in special focus groups to provide their thoughts about how the union can best meet their needs and communicate with members in the under 35 age group.

Giving members tools to succeedOn both days of the event, workshops provided inspiration and information for delegates in every constituency group. Topics ranged from “Our Unfair Economy,” to “The New Face and Future of Unionism,” a workshop specifically designed for younger IFT members, to “Forging Alliances.” Special

workshops for teachers and PSRPs provided assistance with the challenges to implementing Common Core State Standards in the classroom, while a ses-sion on effective lobbying was designed to help members advocate for pension protections and other key issues in-dis-trict and in Springfield.

Convention 2013 is over, but our work is not. It is up to every member to stay informed, stay involved, and speak out as we all work together to POWER FORWARD.

Social media buzzed with updates, tweets and posts from Convention 2013! Check out the photos and converstaions on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook using hashtag

#IFTPowerForward. Watch us Power Forward athttp://youtu.be/3eE7kDzD_Bk

IFT MEMBERS POWER FORWARD AT CONVENTION 2013, continued

UNION LINK | WINTER 20138 UNION LINK | WINTER 2013 9

Students and teachers packed a hall at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics in October to hear educators and self-identified experts discuss the national and statewide launch of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) corestandards.org. IFT President Dan Montgomery was on the Illinois panel.

“We’re coming out of a dark period for our profession, and teachers feel under attack for all ills in society,” Montgomery explained. “That atmosphere has created a lot of skepticism for CCSS.” The IFT leader discussed his reservations against tying CCSS with teacher evaluations at the same time CCSS are being rolled out for the first time. A lifelong educator himself, Montgomery listed the possible pitfalls of that approach. The new tests are to be administered on computers, which will limit computer use for instruction. He also questioned how much time testing will take away from instruction, information which has not been made public. “Putting a moratorium on the high stakes consequences is not an unreasonable

thing to do,” he said. Montgomery advocated for more time to get imple-mentation right before assessing students and teachers on the results. He insisted that a chaotic first year for implementation can lead to poor test scores and, “once the results come out, people of all political stripes will say we’re failing.”

President Montgomery was joined on stage by District U-46 Superintendent José Torres and Advance IllinoisDirector Robin Steans. Montgomery and Torres found common ground with concerns for English Language Learners and the new tests. The two educators echoed each others’ concerns over the budgeting for the new tests and how that will affect existing school programs. Steans expressed trepidation over general education budget cuts and said, “We have a lot of work to do” on school funding, but did not express any need to slow down the high-stakes testing associated with the standards. The preceding national panel featured U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and the libertarian American Enterprise Institute’s Fred Hess. The two typically are on the same page regarding initiatives like charter schools,

Common Core State StandardsPresident Montgomery Weighs in on

WatchVideoVideo of the panel discussion is available online at http://ow.ly/qWONf.

merit pay, and curbing tenure rights. However, the concept of national standards placed them at odds with one another.

Hess expressed serious doubts about implementing CCSS. Although he has been one of the biggest proponents of “no excuses” accountability for teachers, he explained that, “You can’t roll out new assessments and talk about teacher accountability at the same time.” Hess predicted that CCSS will be, “five to six years of disruption and turmoil … but the biggest flop since Y2K.”

Duncan insisted that raising standards and making them uniform throughout the nation would inspire students and teachers to rise to the occasion. “It’s great to raise standards, but if you’re not helping teachers, parents, and administration with implementation, you’re kidding yourselves,” said Duncan. “We need to do a better job of educating them in what this really means.”

IFT Helps Needy Students Get FREE Books

SignUpTo learn more about First Book and register to get free or discounted books for your school, visit firstbook.org.

Our union and locals partner with First Book to deliver thousands of books to students

West Suburban Teachers Union Vice President Alice Kautsky and Asst. Principal Neil Kiewiet distribute free

books to Goodwin Elementary first graders.

t

The faces of Kamille Krupka’s first grade students at Goodwin Elementary School lit up when they were each handed their own book in October, thanks to the efforts of the IFT and the West Suburban Teachers Union, Local 571, through their partnership withFirstBook,anonprofitorganization.

“Wehavesomanyunderprivilegedchildrenin our community, so it is wonderful that our union is able to help get books into their hands that they can take home and call theirown,”Krupkasaid.“Thisbringsthemjoy and may help spark a critical interest in reading, which we know is essential for theirfuturesuccess.”

Nearly 2,000 new books for children in grades PreK-6 were delivered to elemen-tary schools in Cicero School Dist. 99 thanks to Local 571’s partnership with FirstBook.Thelocalregistereditsteacherand PSRP members for the program to qualify their students to receive the free books. Retired Cicero teacher and IFT

and Local 571 Vice President Alice Kautsky coordinated the effort.

The Quincy Federation of Teachers, Local 809,alsopartneredwithIFTandFirstBookto benefit students in that downstate community. Thanks to the participation and dedication of teachers and PSRPs, the local was able to distribute more than 300 books to students at Washington Elemen-tary School. IFT Secretary-Treasurer Marcia Campbell was on hand to read to students during the book distribution at the school in November.

“Unionsareusuallyseenonlyasgroupslooking to benefit their own members. Weknowthatisfarfromthecase,”saidKautsky.“PartneringwithFirstBookinCicero and other areas around the state to get books to kids who can’t afford them shows how our union is working for students and communities. We are fighting for kids’ futures, not just our ownsalariesandbenefits.”

The IFT worked with the American Federation of Teachers to establish a state partnershipwithFirstBooktoprovidefreebooks to Illinois students. Earlier this fall, IFT members and leaders volunteered to assist with a book bank in River Grove, Ill., where more than 426,000 books were sorted and shipped to schools in the state and across the country. Additional book donationssecuredthroughtheIFT/FirstBookpartnership will be delivered in the weeks ahead to schools in North Chicago.

FirstBookisanon-profitorganization that provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books.

sharemylesson

Discover facts, figures and tips about Common Core State Standards by visiting the Share My Lesson information center at ShareMyLesson.com. >>>

UNION LINK | WINTER 201310 UNION LINK | WINTER 2013 11

State employee. IFT member. Future candidate? As the IFT works to strengthen the union and Power Forward!, the personal efforts of members like Laura Hepp Kessel are helping to bolster us all in that fight.

Now a principal consultant at the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Laura is a member of the Illinois Federation of State Office Employees (IFSOE), Local 3236. She was raised in a union family as the daughter of two AFSCME members and has been involved in government as a former staffer to Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, coordinator of Gov. Quinn’s Rural Affairs Council, and a community organizer in southern Illinois.

When her mentor suggested she take her experience to the next level by serving as a 2013 delegate for the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership (IWIL), Laura committed

to get involved and make a difference for herself, her colleagues, and her community.

“I think it is important for women to participate in politics and in leadership roles because we need more women participating in the decision-making process,” Laura said. “Women make up at least half of the population, yet are under-represented in all leadership roles. IWIL is working to change that.”

IWIL is an educational not-for-profit organization established to encourage and train women to become effective leaders in Illinois government and poli-tics. Since the first class of delegates in 2002, IWIL has trained more than 100 women to serve in key roles. Among the organization’s founders are IFT member and former Illinois AFL-CIO President Margaret Blackshere, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie. IFT Secretary-Treasurer Marcia Campbell currently serves on IWIL’s Board of Directors.

Laura was accepted to the program in the fall of 2012. In addition to per-forming her full time job, she attended training sessions from February through August and completed required reading, essays and other “homework.” The rig-orous program covered topics from who to include in your kitchen cabinet when running for office to public speaking to preparing for media interviews and much more, she said.

Participants also networked with IWIL alumni and political leaders.

“One of my favorite opportunities was travelling to Washington, DC to meet with our national leaders, including U.S. Senators Dick Durbin, Elizabeth War-

i am }}

IFTRead “I am IFT” in every issue of Union Link to learn about how your fellow members are Powering Forward.

LearnMoreTo learn more about the IWIL program, visit IWILinfo.org.

ren, Tammy Baldwin, Harry Reid, and others,” she said. “Senator Durbin took us on the Senate floor and showed us the desks of his colleagues and former colleagues – including President Obama – and talked about the history of the Senate building. That entire day will always be one of my favorites!”

But Laura says the best thing about her experience has been building on her strengths and developing new ones. “IWIL programming opened my mind to new ideas while teaching me new skills and improving on my existing skill set,” she said. “Everything I learned as an IWIL delegate has already made positive changes in my life or will benefit me in the future when I run for office.”

Laura hopes union women, in particular, will participate in programs like IWIL.

“Union members are especially good candidates because they’ve likely had an opportunity for leadership roles within their respective unions and already have a built-in constituency of supporters,” she added.

Although it may seem overwhelming at first, Laura encourages women to take the first step towards achieving their goals and having a voice.

“Running for elected office is an incredible way to make a difference, and I would encourage others to take the first step by getting involved with IWIL. I did!”

This fall, some IFT members received an e-mail entitled “Know Your Options” from the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI). In it, IPI claims to be a “non-partisan policy research organization” that is “here to help you.”

Don’t be fooled. IPI is no more than a vicious wolf in sheep’s clothing. The group is neither non-partisan, nor do they have workers’ best interests at heart. In fact, IPI is a strongly anti-union organization, and proud of it. A quick visit to their website makes a few things very clear: • IPIwantstoobliteratecollectivebargaining

• IPIwantstodestroyourpensions and retirement security

• IPIwantstoprivatizeeducation,restrict workers’ rights, and create a tax system that benefits most those at the very top level of income

IPI is a member of the American Legislation Exchange Council, better known as ALEC. ALEC is a corporate “bill mill,” a controversial, right-wing organization in which state lawmakers and corporate lobbyists come together to vote on “model” legislation behind closed doors. They introduce these bills in state houses across the country, including Illinois. Corporations – not people – fund almost all of their operations, and so that’s who their efforts benefit.

ALEC was the driving force behind the campaign to eliminate collective bargaining in Wisconsin, a model they took on the road to Ohio, Arizona, and other states.

IPI is also part of the State Policy Network (SPN), an $83-million dollar right-wing empire. They don’t disclose

the source of all their funding, but a recent report by the Center for Media and Democracy revealed the billionaire Koch brothers and libertarian Cato Institute are among the big donors behind SPN.

As author John Nichols said at our Convention, IFT members have ex-traordinary collective power in Illinois, and must use it. It is time we exposed groups like IPI for who they really are: “stink tanks” masquerading as “think tanks,” advancing out-of-touch corporate interests to benefit their out-of-state funders.

Please share this information with your colleagues, friends, and family and encourage them to learn more about the Illinois Policy Institute at the links below. Stay vigilant and spread the word that ruthless attacks like these are designed to strip you of your voice and our ability to advocate for our students and our communities.

Illinoisans across the state are calling for increased government accountability, fair-ness, and a stronger middle class. The IFT shares these values and is a proud partner in the A Better Illinois(ABI)coalitionwhichis fighting to advance these goals.

The campaign has gained tremendous momentum in Springfield and around the state this fall. In November, the coalition announced that it had collected more than 150,000 signatures from residents in every statewide legislative district – both Republican and Democrat – in support of a fair tax, where people with higher incomes pay a higher rate, and those at lower incomes pay less. The petition drive is

ongoing, and the IFT will continue our efforts to educate members and collect signatures.

Legislative momentum in Springfield has also picked up steam. The campaign’s Fair Tax Act legislation now has nearly 30 co-sponsors in the Senate and nearly 40 in the House. More than a dozen new co-sponsors signed on during veto session in November alone.

The IFT is one of more than 250 union, community and civic groups comprising hundreds of thousands of individuals, which haspartneredwithABIinthiseffort.Thecampaign closely aligns with one of the

IFT’s key priorities – creating a fair economy – making it an ideal fit for our union.

There is much more to come. A Better Illinois will be conducting events in communities around the state soon, so stay tuned. Add your support now! Visit abetterillinois.org to learn more today, then contact your lawmak-ers to tell them that our state should have a fair tax system that creates jobs, grows the middle class, and funds public education and critical social services.

A WOLF in Sheep’s Clothing

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• sourcewatch.org• stinktanks.org• alecexposed.org

Join the converstaion:ABetterIllinois.org facebook.com/ABetterIllinois

Fair Tax Campaign Gains Momentum

Laura Hepp Kessel, Illinois Federation of State Office Employees, Local 3236

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