Chronology of Negotiations

In the fourth negotiation session, the University presented two revised proposals and five additional non-economic proposals, while the Union presented four revised proposals. The parties reached tentative agreements on two proposals and scheduled an additional bargaining meeting for April 14. 

The parties reached tentative agreements on two proposals, and the Union presented four revised proposals, all via email. 

The University presented three additional non-economic proposals, via email. 

On Monday, February 16, the parties met for their third negotiation session. The Union presented the remainder of their non-economic proposals and the University presented their first six non-economic proposals.

The parties scheduled additional bargaining meetings for February 16, March 19, and April 3.   

On Tuesday, February 2, the parties were scheduled to meet for a third negotiation session. The Union was unwilling to pass the remainder of their non-economic proposals, and the session was postponed so the parties could separately continue to work on developing proposals. The parties also discussed potential additional bargaining dates. 

On Wednesday, January 28, the University’s motion to stay its bargaining obligation (while the parties await a ruling from the appellate court that will determine the number and configuration of the bargaining unit(s)) was denied, meaning negotiations regarding a single unit will continue until the appellate court rules on whether the bargaining unit is more appropriately two separate units.

On Tuesday, January 22, the parties met for their second negotiation session. The Union presented two additional non-economic proposals and advised they needed to continue working on their other non-economic proposals. The University asked clarifying questions regarding the non-economic proposals passed on January 7, and the parties discussed potential additional bargaining dates.  

On Wednesday, January 7, the parties met for their first negotiation session. The Union presented 11 initial non-economic proposals which the University then spent time reviewing with its team. The parties also scheduled additional bargaining meetings for Thursday, January 22, and Monday, February 2.

On Tuesday, December 9, the parties mutually agreed to schedule their first negotiation session for Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Union also advised University representatives they intended to pass their non-economic proposals over the course of the first two or three bargaining sessions.

On Tuesday, November 18, The University filed a motion seeking to stay its bargaining obligation while the parties await a ruling from the appellate court that will determine the number and configuration of the bargaining unit(s).

On Friday, November 14, the University notified LSEA leadership of its intent to file a motion seeking to stay  its bargaining obligation while the parties await a ruling from the appellate court that will determine the number and configuration of the bargaining unit(s). The University also provided the Union three dates it is available for an initial bargaining meeting.

On Thursday, October 16, LSEA issued a demand to bargain to the University, requesting that the University provide dates and times the University is available for an initial bargaining meeting for a single unit that includes both Heart of Illinois Low Incidence Association (HILIA) and non-HILIA employees.

On Thursday, July 3, the University filed a Petition for Review or appeal with the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fourth District. The University is challenging the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board's (ILERB) certification of the Union as the exclusive bargaining representative of a single unit (combining employees who are exclusively employed by the University and others who the University jointly employs with the Heart of Illinois Low Incidence Association (HILIA)), and is asking the court to instead certify two separate units.

On Friday, May 30, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (ILERB) certified LSEA to represent  teachers and educational support staff working at the University’s Lab Schools, including University High School and Metcalf School, and at the Heart of Illinois Low Incidence Association (HILIA) for purposes of collective bargaining.