University of Illinois Springfield Faculty Strike Gains Widespread Support

Professors demand better pay and investment as students and lawmakers rally behind them

Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:34pm

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Tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield have gone on strike, citing an 11-month period of unproductive negotiations with the administration. The union claims the university has not been valuing its students by failing to invest in faculty and staff. Professors were joined on the picket line by family members, students, and even a state senator, who voiced support for the faculty's demands for a living wage.

Why it matters

The strike highlights ongoing tensions between university administrations and faculty over issues of compensation, resource allocation, and support for the academic mission. As public universities face budget pressures, these conflicts can disrupt the student experience and undermine morale among the teaching staff.

The details

After voting to authorize a strike two weeks ago, the UIS United Faculty Union decided to walk out starting Friday morning. Union chair Dathan Powell accused the administration of not negotiating in good faith and claimed the majority of the university system's funding has gone to the Champaign-Urbana campus, rather than Springfield. Professors were joined on the picket line by family members, students, and State Senator Doris Turner, who voiced support for the faculty's demands for a living wage.

  • The strike began at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The union and administration had been negotiating for 11 months prior to the strike.

The players

UIS United Faculty Union

The union representing tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield campus.

Dathan Powell

Chair of the UIS United Faculty Union, who accused the administration of not negotiating in good faith.

Doris Turner

Democratic state senator from Springfield who joined the faculty on the picket line and voiced support for their demands.

Nick Marquez

UIS student who spoke at a news conference in support of the striking professors.

Adi Rumler

UIS student planning to attend law school who spoke highly of the professors' dedication and support.

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What they’re saying

“The administration of this university has not been valuing its students. It values its students when it invests in its faculty, in its staff, and in its institution itself.”

— Dathan Powell, Chair, UIS United Faculty Union

“Your work is not easy, but you are so dedicated to it. But, you have families. You have obligations. And, in order for you to do this work, you have to have a living wage. You have to be able to put bread to the table. You have to be able to put gas in your car to get out here to UIS.”

— Doris Turner, State Senator (D-Springfield)

“(There are) so many professors here that I could share stories of, who have helped me become the scholar I am today. Those professors enabled the quiet confidence that I now carry, that was once asphyxiated by doubt in my own capabilities.”

— Nick Marquez, UIS Student

“(Professors) have been stellar in every facet of the word. They've showed up in my life time and time again, as highly-qualified academics who are skilled at bringing the very best work out of every individual.”

— Adi Rumler, UIS Student

What’s next

The university and union have agreed to continue negotiations, with the administration stating it remains 'hopeful the union will return to the table so negotiations can continue.' The strike's impact on students is still being assessed.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between university administrations and faculty over issues of compensation, resource allocation, and support for the academic mission. As public universities face budget pressures, these conflicts can disrupt the student experience and undermine morale among the teaching staff, underscoring the need for more equitable and collaborative approaches to university governance.