Illinois Families for Public Schools (IFFPS) is a grassroots organization that has organized aggressively around the issue of student privacy and has fought to replace existing laws regarding this issue. Illinois Families for Public Schools is based in Springfield, IL and is primarily powered by volunteers with varying degrees of involvement. IFFPS keeps in contact with their volunteers through a Facebook group, email blasts and a frequently updated website that releases weekly reports and current action items. Volunteers most likely join through word of mouth, or from hearing about the organization in news outlets (Illinois Coronavirus Updates, 2020). IFFPS is mainly concerned with changing legislation and have had a hand in lobbying for, and writing numerous bills relating to, education reform (Illinois Families for Public Schools, 2019a). The organization has two paid staff workers including it’s director and board president, Cassie Cresswell (Illinois Families for Public Schools, n.d.-a). IFFPS also has a board of directors consisting of twelve individuals, including Cresswell, who oversee the organization. Cresswell is also the public face of IFFPS and takes a lead in speaking and testifying on behalf of IFFPS (Illinois Coronavirus Updates, 2020).

https://www.ilfps.org/

This organization has organized around two major policy changes regarding the issue of privacy, reforming SOPPA and creating safe online learning environments in the midst of COVID-19. IFFPS has worked for the last four years to reform SOPPA, and, while it was a lengthy battle, they were ultimately able to reform the law (Illinois Families for Public Schools, 2019a). Their tactics in doing this are discussed at length under the strategies tab. More recently, IFFPS has been advocating for safe online learning spaces for students (Illinois Families for Public Schools, 2020b). Organizing around this issue is ongoing and is discussed at length in the current campaign tab.