Illinois Education Association continues to lose members, underfund Job No. 1
The Illinois Education Association is the largest statewide teachers union in Illinois. But less than 15% of its in spending in 2024 was on representing its members – which could be why nearly 5,000 education employees have left the union.
The Illinois Education Association is the largest state affiliate for local teachers unions across Illinois, but it is getting smaller.
Nearly 5,000 education employees have left the union since its membership peaked in 2020, according to the union’s recent federal filing with the U.S. Department of Labor.
The union’s federal filing reveals at least three trends in 2024 that could be driving the membership exodus:
- Just 15% of the union’s spending was on representing its members.
- IEA’s political spending increased to $1.9 million, an 8.3% increase over the year before.
- One-third of IEA officers and staff received six-figure salaries, while the average Illinois teacher salary was less than $76,000.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear teachers are not happy with the union and are dropping their memberships.
Just 15% of the union’s spending was on representing members in 2024
IEA’s most recent report shows it spent little last year on “representational activities,” which should be the main focus of a union. The U.S. Department of Labor defines representational activities as including the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement and the administration and enforcement of the resulting contract.
IEA spent a total of $88.2 million in 2024. Of that, just $12.9 million was on representing teachers. That’s not even 15% of its total spending.
The rest was spent on politics, administration and other union leadership priorities.
To put this in perspective, the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance states at least 65% of a nonprofit’s total expenses should be used for program activities.
While the Wise Giving Alliance evaluates spending by charities, it stands to reason IEA’s spending of less than 15% on representation – the purpose of a union – should be a cause for concern among members.
IEA’s political spending increased to $1.96 million in 2024
IEA spent more than $1.96 million on political activities and lobbying in 2024, an 8.3% hike from the year before. It was the union’s second-highest spend on politics in the past 20 years.
Of that amount, more than $1.92 million was not itemized. That means members have no way of knowing on what causes or candidates the vast majority of IEA’s political spending was used.
Notably, IEA’s reported political spending doesn’t include anything in the months leading up to the 2024 election, because the union’s fiscal year and subsequent reporting ended on June 30, 2024. What is likely to have been extensive spending won’t be reported until fall 2025.
It also doesn’t include more than $211,000 in other “contributions, gifts and grants,” which can be political in nature. But again, members can’t know for sure, because only $90,000 of that amount was itemized. The rest went to unknown entities or purposes.
One-third of IEA officers and staffers rake in six-figure salaries
IEA’s own officers and other employees are well paid. One-third of its employees earn over $100,000. In fact, the top 16 earners make over $200,000, with 79 making $150,000 or more.
Meanwhile, the average teacher in Illinois makes less than $76,000, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. It appears IEA is taking teacher union dues to prop up its own expensive employees while failing to spend even 15 cents of every dollar to actually represent those teachers.
With members leaving by the thousands, it’s time IEA took a look at its priorities and started putting teachers – and not its own leaders – first.