The Illinois Education Association is an affiliate of the National Education Association.
IEA is the state’s largest union with 135,000+ members. There are 22 IEA regional offices throughout the state to serve the members.
Region 40 is comprised of 9 local unions representing more than 2,100 members employed by school districts and higher education throughout Kane County.
These members serve the communities of Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Sugar Grove and surrounding areas.
IEA’s Regional Office for Region 40 is Naperville.
Region Structure
Each Region has a group of Officers, elected by local members.
Region Officers lead regional governance, support local unions, and serve as a link between members and statewide leadership.
The Region Chair is also a member of the IEA Board of Directors. They act as both a leader within the Region, a statewide policymaker and liaison on the IEA Board of Directors.
Region Representatives are elected from each local union. They advocate for local members, support communications, coordination and represent local member interests in region and statewide decisions.
Every Local Union has an elected group of Officers. Depending on the union’s size and their bylaws these positions include a president(s), vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and a membership chair.
IEA Governance Structure
Local Members Elect:
- Delegates to the Representative Assembly
- Representatives to their Region Council
- Their Region Chair
- Sectional Board Members: ESP, Ethnic Minority, Higher Ed
Representative Assembly:
- Elected delegates meet annually to set IEA policies, approve budgets, and establish advocacy priorities.
Executive Officers:
- Lead the organization by setting goals, overseeing operations, and advocating for members. The President directs policy and advocacy. The Vice President supports initiatives, and the Secretary-Treasurer manages finances. They chair the Executive Committee, implement decisions, and represent the IEA at the state and national levels.
- Current Executive Officers:
- President: Al Lorens
- Vice President: Karl Goeke
- Secretary-Treasurer: Gina Harris
Board of Directors:
- Oversee operations between specific committees, implement policies, and represent regional interests.
Executive Committee:
- Provide strategic leadership with officers, guiding IEA’s goals.
IPACE Executive Committee:
- Supports candidates who align with IEA’s education advocacy goals.
Committees and Task Forces:
- Address specific issues like elections, pension, and membership engagement to support IEA’s mission.
National Education Association
The NEA is comprised of 51 state-level affiliates including one for each state, plus the Federal Education Association.
The NEA aims to advance justice and excellence in public education. The NEA’s mission is to unite its members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education, ensuring every student’s success in a diverse and interdependent world. The NEA advocates for education professionals and promotes racial and social justice within the education system.
Illinois Education Association RA
The IEA hosts a Representative Assembly every Spring (mid-March). It is the highest policy-making body of the IEA. The RA brings together elected delegates from IEA regions and local associations to discuss, debate, and decide on resolutions, reports and recommendations. These decisions shape IEA’s direction for the coming year, including its legislative platform, budget, and bylaws.
National Education Association RA
The NEA is the world’s largest democratic deliberative body, with over 6,000 delegates. The NEA Representative Assembly meets annually (early July) to set policies, adopt a strategic plan and budget, and address the issues impacting public education.