River Forest teachers begin preparing for strike

RIVER FOREST - The River Forest Education Association (RFEA) is taking steps to prepare for a strike after the River Forest School District 90 administration signaled an unwillingness to bargain any further on the teachers' contract. District 90 initiated what's known as the public posting process with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, which means the District 90 administration will send the IELRB its last, best, final offer to the IELRB.

RFEA represents more than 140 teachers and licensed staff serving the nearly 1,300 students who attend school in District 90. The BOE and RFEA began negotiations in April 2025 and the two parties have met to negotiate nearly 20 times. RFEA's current contract expired on Fri., Aug. 15, which means teachers have been working without a contract since the start of the school year.

For years, the district has been building a massive reserve on the backs of River Forest teachers. According to its own 2025 Annual Financial Report submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education, District 90 has 460 days of cash on hand. The state recommends having just 180 days.

The following statement is from RFEA co-president Cindy Crannell:

"We are frustrated and disheartened by the district's lack of compromise at the bargaining table  to resolve the issues that led to a failed ratification vote of the tentative agreement we reached on Nov. 10.

"The district has 460 days of cash on hand in reserves and is more than able to resolve the financial components at the root of the failed ratification vote. However, during our last few joint mediation sessions, the district has made little to no movement on their offers, seemingly unwilling to move an inch to meet us in the middle.

"On top of that, the district notified the RFEA bargaining team that they are initiating the public posting process, which signals an unwillingness to bargain any more.  This means the district will be issuing its last, best and final offer.

"We are left with no choice but to move forward with plans for a strike; although, we truly would much rather be in our classrooms with our students than out on the picket line. Still, we are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure our students have the best public education possible. To be clear, this does not mean we will go on strike.  We remain open and available to bargain with the district and committed to reaching an agreement."

The RFEA plans to attend tonight's District 90 Board of Education meeting. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Roosevelt Middle School (7560 Oak Ave., River Forest). The meeting will be live streamed here. There are no future negotiation dates scheduled.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state's largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.