WSTU Local 571
@wstu571.bsky.social
We represent about 6000 teachers, support staff, custodians and retirees in Suburban Cook and DuPage County.
"Public school supporters are concerned the program will lead to reduced funding for public schools and worry about educational equity and accountability at private schools. "
Where the federal school choice program stands
The U.S. Department of Treasury is expected to issue proposed rules early next year detailing how the program will operate and how states can opt in.
www.k12dive.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:18 PM
"Public school supporters are concerned the program will lead to reduced funding for public schools and worry about educational equity and accountability at private schools. "
“This is about workforce development and supporting our domestic—including immigrant—talent pipeline that colleges and universities train, educate, nurture, and that go on to fuel the workforces … in communities and states,” she said.
Advocates Defend In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students
Undocumented students, represented by civil rights groups, are trying to intervene in cases in which the federal government and state officials agreed to end their in-state tuition benefits.
www.insidehighered.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
“This is about workforce development and supporting our domestic—including immigrant—talent pipeline that colleges and universities train, educate, nurture, and that go on to fuel the workforces … in communities and states,” she said.
"Since the start of the Trump administration in January, Head Start, like many federally-backed programs, has come under the microscope of budget-cutters operating largely under the "Project 2025" governing blueprint that urged the termination of Head Start."
Head Start education program in jaws of US government shutdown
Education, child care and nutrition services for tens of thousands of young American children will begin to be cut off on Saturday.
www.reuters.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
"Since the start of the Trump administration in January, Head Start, like many federally-backed programs, has come under the microscope of budget-cutters operating largely under the "Project 2025" governing blueprint that urged the termination of Head Start."
Visit our site for scholarship links!
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities for Union Members!
005710.il.aft.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Visit our site for scholarship links!
"Only about 1 in 4 U.S. teachers believe that their profession is valued in society, a 10 percentage-point drop since 2018...
While educators may feel that their communities value their work “in a general way,” Kreamer said, many are “not feeling like they have a lot of voice in education policy.”
While educators may feel that their communities value their work “in a general way,” Kreamer said, many are “not feeling like they have a lot of voice in education policy.”
How U.S. Teachers' Job Satisfaction Stacks Up Against Their Global Peers
The largest international survey of teachers provides new insights into teacher satisfaction.
www.edweek.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:30 PM
"Only about 1 in 4 U.S. teachers believe that their profession is valued in society, a 10 percentage-point drop since 2018...
While educators may feel that their communities value their work “in a general way,” Kreamer said, many are “not feeling like they have a lot of voice in education policy.”
While educators may feel that their communities value their work “in a general way,” Kreamer said, many are “not feeling like they have a lot of voice in education policy.”
Looking for a listen? Hear AFT President Randi Weingarten speaking about her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: www.wmnf.org/wide-awake-a...
Wide Awake America - Why Fascists Fear Teachers
Wide Awake America delves into why America's classrooms are the fiercest battleground in our democracy and more.
www.wmnf.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Looking for a listen? Hear AFT President Randi Weingarten speaking about her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: www.wmnf.org/wide-awake-a...
"Illinois’ new complaint details Trump’s rhetoric over the last month or so, including his social media post that reads “I love the smell of deportations in the morning” and adds that Chicago is “about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.”
Judge refuses to immediately block National Guard deployment to Illinois
A federal judge said Monday she wouldn't hear arguments over Illinois' bid to block the deployment until Thursday, even after a Trump administration lawyer confirmed that Texas troops are on their way...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"Illinois’ new complaint details Trump’s rhetoric over the last month or so, including his social media post that reads “I love the smell of deportations in the morning” and adds that Chicago is “about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.”
"Now, amid the government shutdown, Trump is moving to further fulfill Project 2025’s goals of reducing the federal workforce and extending his executive powers—and, it appears, openly embracing the plan.
Project 2025 is a sweeping policy agenda spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation."
Project 2025 is a sweeping policy agenda spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation."
Trump Is No Longer Denying Support for Project 2025
The President has changed his tune on the conservative policy plan after actively distancing himself from it in the past.
time.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:50 PM
"Now, amid the government shutdown, Trump is moving to further fulfill Project 2025’s goals of reducing the federal workforce and extending his executive powers—and, it appears, openly embracing the plan.
Project 2025 is a sweeping policy agenda spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation."
Project 2025 is a sweeping policy agenda spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation."
"States that have weakened labor rights by enacting so-called “right-to-work” laws shed 179,000 union members last year and their workers now earn about 7% less than their peers in states such as Illinois — even after adjusting for cost of living."
www.dailyherald.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"States that have weakened labor rights by enacting so-called “right-to-work” laws shed 179,000 union members last year and their workers now earn about 7% less than their peers in states such as Illinois — even after adjusting for cost of living."
"[Authoritarians] fear what educators do—the teaching of critical thinking, of honest history, of pluralism—because their brand of greed, power and privilege cannot survive in a democracy of diverse, educated citizens." More from @rweingarten.bsky.social: www.aft.org/column/why-f... @aft.org
Why Fascists Fear Teachers
Teachers are under siege not for anything they do wrong, but for what they do right.
www.aft.org
September 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
"[Authoritarians] fear what educators do—the teaching of critical thinking, of honest history, of pluralism—because their brand of greed, power and privilege cannot survive in a democracy of diverse, educated citizens." More from @rweingarten.bsky.social: www.aft.org/column/why-f... @aft.org
Grateful to all who attended the 20th Annual Legislative Breakfast!
September 22, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Grateful to all who attended the 20th Annual Legislative Breakfast!
“Thousands of Illinois residents rely on these programs to lawfully seek critical health care without fear of deportation,” said Melissa Kula, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, noting that any federal cut would be “impossible” for the state to backfill."
Trump administration investigates Medicaid spending on immigrants in Democratic states
The Trump administration is investigating Medicaid spending in at least six Democratic-led states that provide comprehensive health coverage to poor and disabled immigrants living in the U.S. without ...
apnews.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:21 PM
“Thousands of Illinois residents rely on these programs to lawfully seek critical health care without fear of deportation,” said Melissa Kula, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, noting that any federal cut would be “impossible” for the state to backfill."
"Some teachers have out-of-date history textbooks, and online resources from institutions like the Smithsonian can fill the gaps."
White House's review of Smithsonian content could reach into classrooms nationwide
Some history teachers are concerned about what may come of a White House review of the Smithsonian's public-facing content.
apnews.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:05 PM
"Some teachers have out-of-date history textbooks, and online resources from institutions like the Smithsonian can fill the gaps."
Reposted by WSTU Local 571
Happening now! Join @rweingarten.bsky.social, @proftwolf.bsky.social, @afthighered.bsky.social, @aaup.org and more for a webinar discussing the current threats to higher education - and how we as educators, students, and activists can come together to protect it.
Follow along in the thread below!
Follow along in the thread below!
September 8, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Happening now! Join @rweingarten.bsky.social, @proftwolf.bsky.social, @afthighered.bsky.social, @aaup.org and more for a webinar discussing the current threats to higher education - and how we as educators, students, and activists can come together to protect it.
Follow along in the thread below!
Follow along in the thread below!
Reposted by WSTU Local 571
What are your plans this Labor Day? Join us and stand up for what #WorkersDeserve:
Chicago RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/806237/
Events around the state: https://www.mobilize.us/aft/?country=US&state=IL&tag_ids=26595
Chicago RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/806237/
Events around the state: https://www.mobilize.us/aft/?country=US&state=IL&tag_ids=26595
August 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
What are your plans this Labor Day? Join us and stand up for what #WorkersDeserve:
Chicago RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/806237/
Events around the state: https://www.mobilize.us/aft/?country=US&state=IL&tag_ids=26595
Chicago RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/806237/
Events around the state: https://www.mobilize.us/aft/?country=US&state=IL&tag_ids=26595
Reposted by WSTU Local 571
This Labor Day we will continue to stand strong, fighting for public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, shared prosperity over corporate politics. #workersdeserve
✍️ Register for Chicago's Labor Day event: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcio/event/806237/
✍️ Register for Chicago's Labor Day event: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcio/event/806237/
August 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
This Labor Day we will continue to stand strong, fighting for public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, shared prosperity over corporate politics. #workersdeserve
✍️ Register for Chicago's Labor Day event: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcio/event/806237/
✍️ Register for Chicago's Labor Day event: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcio/event/806237/
"We found that public education has been essential for not only creating an educated workforce but for inculcating the United States’ fundamental values of liberty, equality, fairness and the common good."
Why America still needs public schools
Two legal scholars argue that public education helps the US maintain the nation’s fundamental values of equality and fairness – and recent attacks put them at risk.
theconversation.com
August 26, 2025 at 1:45 AM
"We found that public education has been essential for not only creating an educated workforce but for inculcating the United States’ fundamental values of liberty, equality, fairness and the common good."
"Unions don’t just improve workers’ paychecks—they shape the social and political fabric of the communities they operate in, lifting standards for union and nonunion workers alike."
Unions aren’t just good for workers—they also benefit communities and democracy
Rebuilding worker power by strengthening unions is not just good policy—it is a democratic imperative in the face of authoritarian backsliding.
www.epi.org
August 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
"Unions don’t just improve workers’ paychecks—they shape the social and political fabric of the communities they operate in, lifting standards for union and nonunion workers alike."
Wishing all of our members heading back to school a wonderful year ahead!!
New Teacher Collection: Free Lesson Plans and Resources for Back to School
New teacher? Discover dozens of resources curated by the experts at Share My Lesson and confront any challenge when you go back to school this year!
sharemylesson.com
August 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Wishing all of our members heading back to school a wonderful year ahead!!