IFT Convention 2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) is our parent union. IFT is a union of over 100,000 members, including teachers, higher education faculty and staff, public employees, and more. As an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the IFT works to defend the workers’ rights and improve public education and services. Every three years, members across Illinois gather at the IFT Convention, the union’s highest governing body.

Delegates invited to the Convention are elected by local unions (such as GEO). The delegates’ roles is to discuss, debate and vote on resolutions, constitutional amendments, and leadership elections that shape IFT’s direction of work. It is also a good time for members to share their achievements and stories, get feedback, and make connections.

For GEO, the IFT Convention is an important opportunity to advocate for the needs of our members, build power with our K-12 union siblings, and be part of determining our parent union’s direction for the next three years.

The 2025 IFT Convention will be held October 17-19 in Chicago. GEO members can nominate themselves to be delegates via this form.

Read more about the 2025 Convention and IFT here: https://www.ift-aft.org/convention2025

GEO Delegates to Convention Election

On October 1st and 2nd, GEO will host an in-person election to choose the delegates GEO will be sending to the IFT Convention to represent our interests. Delegates must be GEO members in good standing. They must be elected by membership and voted on via paper ballot. For more information, reach out to the GEO’s Election Committee at geo@uigeo.org.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 1 - Thursday, October 2

TIME: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

WHERE: GEO Office
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, Illinois 61820