As February Closes, Contract Negotiations Continue 

Teacher contract negotiations are ongoing in Champaign CUSD 4, with the next session scheduled for March 4. At the center of the negotiations is a proposed change to the length of the school day in the district’s elementary schools. “Now is the time to ensure our students are getting what they need inside the classroom as well,” says a district statement. “Our current bell time has existed for decades and our data shows that significant change is needed.”  

Other topics in the negotiations are salary, health insurance, and staffing. Offers from the district and its teachers have not appeared on the IELRB website as of February 24. The Champaign Federation of Teachers has indicated it will file, with an earliest possible strike date of March 21, according to media reports. The contract expired in June 2021. Champaign CUSD 4 employs 770 teachers and educates 10,000 students in 18 schools.  

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) is the state agency administering the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. The IELRB’s public posting process follows a minimum of 15 days of mediation. The process requires both sides to submit their most recent offers, which are then posted by IELRB. A strike cannot take place until at least 14 days following the posting and a written 10-day notice of intent to strike.   

Teachers in Gen Geo Patton SD 133 in Riverdale have set a possible strike date of March 8. Meetings between the district and its negotiating team continue. The board is proposing a four-year contract with raises of 3.75% in the first two years and 4% in the third and fourth years. The district and union offers were posted to IELRB on December 27.  

Negotiations also continue this week in Proviso THSD 209. Classes remain in session as the possible February 18 date passed without a strike. Offers were posted to IELRB on February 3. The talks between the district and the Proviso Teachers Union have progressed with 7% salary increases over a three-year contract and additional movement on retirement incentives and class size targets.