Illinois Education Association history

The IEA became an affiliate of the National Education Association in 1857, an organization currently totaling 3.2 million teachers and school employees working to make our good public schools even better for all students.

In response to this growing segment of membership, in 1871, women were given full voting and membership rights upon payment of the $1 annual dues.

A statewide representative assembly and a system of geographical divisions was adopted, the first full-time staff members were hired, and in 1931, construction was completed on the Association’s permanent headquarters in Springfield.

In 1936 the ISTA changed its name to the current Illinois Education Association.

The IEA marked its 100th year in 1953, and celebrated the many achievements on behalf of the state’s public schools and employees.

In 1964, the Representative Assembly passed a resolution requiring racially segregated affiliates to merge.

Two years later, NEA becomes fully integrated, when the NEA and ATA agree to merge at the 1966 Representative Assembly.

After a 1970 constitutional convention, classroom teachers assumed control of the IEA. Administrators gradually left the membership ranks, unified dues with the National Education Association were established, and the UniServ system with field offices was adopted.

Additional staff were hired to help negotiate contracts with school boards, and in 1971, the Illinois Political Action Committee for Education was created giving public school employees a stronger voice in the political arena.