Illinois Education Association honors NEA Vice President Princess R. Moss, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and Glen Ellyn District 41 school board president Bob Bruno

SPRINGFIELD- Today, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) honored three individuals for their unwavering support for public education, students and educators. Both the IEA President's Award and the IEA Friend of Education Award are among the association's highest honors.

The awards were presented during the IEA Representative Assembly (RA). The RA is the legislative body of the IEA and setsthe agenda for the year for the state's largest union. There are 1,200 IEA delegates, guests and state dignitaries who attend the RA.

The 2026 award winners are:

President's Award - Princess R. Moss, NEA vice president

Princess R. Moss, an elementary school music teacher from Louisa County, Va., is vice president of the National Education Association. As the daughter of two school bus drivers who instilled within her the core beliefs of courage, honesty and the value of getting a good education, Moss is an unwavering champion of children and strong public schools. She is a staunch, outspoken ally of students, educators and families who represent communities that have been historically marginalized. These include Black, Brown and indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ communities, students with disabilities and those who move through the world representing the ways in which these communities intersect. Moss believes every child and every student -no matter their parents' incomes, where they live, the language they speak at home, their race, religion, ethnicity, gender identification, or physical capabilities-deserves to attend a great public school. She believes in using every available tool to protect the rights of students and educators and protect public education.

Friend of Education Award - Delia Ramirez, U.S. Representative for Illinois's 3rd Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez is a dedicated public servant and lifelong advocate for working families, education and equity. Born and raised in Chicago to immigrant parents, she has devoted her career to uplifting underrepresented communities. Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Ramirez served in the Illinois General Assembly, where she championed affordable housing, healthcare access and education equity. As a state representative she led the passage of HB 2908 to establish an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools, responding to long-standing community demands. She also sponsored bills to increase funding for K-12 education, protect bilingual and immigrant students, and support educators' voices in decision-making. As the first Latina elected to represent Illinois in Congress, she maintains her unwavering commitment to justice, opportunity and inclusive public policy. She has convened oversight hearings focused on the effects of federal policy cuts on students and teachers, demonstrating her ongoing dedication to public education. Ramirez is a fierce advocate for safety for all students and demanding ICE get out of our public schools. When one of her constituents, 14-year-old Steven, and his father were taken by ICE, She worked tirelessly with his family and the Hadley School community to help secure his release. Ramirez has been a true champion for the Latino community, as well as all students and educators. She is on the frontlines advocating for meaningful policies that ensure all communities are seen, heard and supported.

Friend of Education - Bob Bruno, professor and director of the labor education program at the University of Illinois, Glen Ellyn District 41 school board president

Bob Bruno is a fierce advocate and educator-with a passion for unionism that is unmatched. As the director of the labor education program, professor of labor and employment and director of the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois, one might say Bruno is a labor expert. As a Glen Ellyn District 41 school board member and current president, he has supported countless initiatives, overseen two successful referendum and building projects, navigated the ousting of a beloved superintendent and has stood up to a toxic school board to help build an environment of collegiality, collaboration and compassion. Perhaps most notable is Bruno's advocacy on behalf of a student and parent who were detained by ICE. The student, Steven, is autistic. The stress from being separated from his mother, his home and his school severely impacted his mental health and Steven became sick and stopped eating. Bruno did not hesitate to take action. He and his wife paid for two of Steven's teachers to join him at the Dilley Detention Center in San Antonio so they could visit with Steven. One teacher shared how she believes the visit could have saved his life. Thanks to advocacy from Bruno, Steven's teachers, the Hadley School community and Rep. Delia Ramirez, Steven and his father were released and reunited with their family on March 3. Bruno's advocacy is rooted in the belief that no student should be forgotten, regardless of their status or the barriers placed in their way. He has made a profound impact in his school community; his contributions to the labor movement and commitment to safety for all students make him an outstanding candidate for this honor.

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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.