Membership

About IPELRA

Established in 1978, the Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association (IPELRA) is a professional, nonprofit Illinois association with over 300 members comprised of public sector management representatives responsible for carrying out the labor relations program within their jurisdictions.

Who Are Our Members?

Members of IPELRA are typically working in municipal, county, or state government, school districts, state university systems, and special purpose districts in Illinois, representing management in employee relations or at the bargaining table with public employee unions. Some members are also lawyers and private consultants serving management exclusively. 

How Can I Join IPELRA?

The first step in becoming part of IPELRA is joining our affiliate, the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA). By joining NPELRA, you automatically have membership with IPELRA. 

Student Membership

IPELRA also offers a student membership at a discounted rate of $20.00 per year. Student membership is available to full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration or related program, at an accredited college or university. Student membership is not available if you are currently working full-time in Human Resources, or the Labor/Employee Relations field. 

Student membership includes:

  1. Professional networking
  2. Mentorship programs
  3. Free and discounted training
  4. Job postings
  5. Legislative updates
  6. Opportunities for involvement

Sign up for a student membership here!

Member Benefits

IPELRA's Value to Members

In addition to providing opportunities to interact with fellow professionals, IPELRA membership makes available to you and your jurisdiction the following:

  • Access to the NPELRA Membership roster
  • Amicus representation
  • Discounts on IPELRA and NPELRA programs and publications
  • Discounts on IPELRA seminars for Organizational Associates of Member (other people employed by your jurisdiction)
  • Free access to BillTrack50
  • IPELRA Reporter, the Association's newsletter, which provides
    • Periodic alerts on hot topics
    • Federal-level developments
    • Information on technical labor relations subjects
    • Legislative bill analyses
  • IPELRA's Annual Training Conference in the fall
  • Membership on IPELRA's LinkedIn page for you and your jurisdiction
  • One day and half-day IPELRA seminars dealing with topics of current interest in Illinois

An Opportunity to Contribute

As a member of IPELRA, not only will you be able to draw from Illinois' vast pool of resources, but you will also have the opportunity to contribute. Through our various seminars, conferences, and newsletters, you will have the opportunity to meet and benefit from the experiences of distinguished IPELRA public sector representatives and discuss issues of mutual concern.

Those members that are interested in getting more involved with IPELRA can lend their voice to one of our seven committees.

Your Connection to NPELRA

NPELRA members are behind the state and regional PELRAs, to further opportunities for networking, information sharing and advocacy at a local level. Your dual membership with NPELRA and IPELRA means that you've got the best of both worlds. Check out what benefits you get as a member of NPELRA!