What is the Illinois Reading Council?

The mission of the Illinois Reading Council is to provide support and leadership to educators as they promote and teach lifelong literacy.

The Vision of the Illinois Reading Council

The Illinois Reading Council advocates quality literacy opportunities for all learners and serves as a primary organization that provides educators at all levels access to research, materials, and methodologies to promote and teach lifelong literacy and learning.  Support of an active, well-organized system of local and special interest council and state committees provides a viable network for communication, exchange of information, and grass roots involvement of a diverse membership.  The IRC’s publications, special projects, conferences, and workshops stimulate personal and professional growth of educators. 

What is the Illinois Reading Council?

The Illinois Reading Council (IRC) is a non-profit professional organization whose members promote reading and literacy for people of all ages. It has 27 local councils in communities in Illinois and 5 special interest statewide councils. There are over 5,000 members in Illinois working to further literacy goals. The Illinois Reading Council is the state affiliate of the International Literacy Association (ILA).

Purposes of the Illinois Reading Council:

  • To improve the quality of reading instruction at all levels
  • To provide a local and statewide network of teachers and administrators associated with literacy issues
  • To support the activities of the local reading councils and provide a concentrated focus about literacy issues
  • To sponsor conferences and meetings to implement the purposes of the council
  • To stimulate and promote literacy research
  • To disseminate knowledge helpful in the solution of problems related to reading
  • To recognize and honor outstanding educators, authors, journalists, and others for significant contributions to reading and language arts
  • To further all purposes of the International Literacy Association

What does your membership include?

The Illinois Reading Council publishes four quarterly newsletters and journals. These publications provide members with current news, events and research. Each member may join a local council of their choice. The price of joining the local council is included in the $45 fee. Every local council operates differently to meet the needs of their area. Most councils hold local events such as speakers or Family Reading Nights at their libraries. The Illinois Reading Council also holds a statewide annual conference each year. This event features many popular authors, exhibitors, and the opportunity to network with friends and colleagues from all over the state.

Join the Illinois Reading Council to promote reading and literacy for all ages.

We hope you will consider becoming a member of the Illinois Reading Council. The IRC offers parents, teachers, and communities the opportunity to share the fun of literacy for all ages through local and statewide events.  IRC also offers a discount to preservice teachers who have not yet been certified in the teaching profession and are working toward an initial teaching certificate. By mail or fax, return this membership form (pdf file) with your preferred payment to:

Illinois Reading Council
203 Landmark Drive, Suite B
Normal, IL 61761-1836
or by fax to (309) 454-3512

Or join today with the Online Membership Form!

IRC Communicator

The Illinois Reading CouncilCommunicator is a quarterly newsletter to keep members up-to-date on current activities. Information is also available on submitting your books for the next “Illinois Authors’ Corner,” the newest column found in the IRCCommunicator. The latest issue of the IRCCommunicator is now available online.

IRC Journal

The Illinois Reading Council Journal is published four times a year exclusively for IRC members with topics, issues, and events of interest to teachers, reading specialists, and administrators involved in literacy programs at all levels of education. Articles may deal with writing, diversity, teaching tips, children’s and adolescent literature, research, innovative instructional practices, literature reviews, and Illinois-related issues.

IRC Library

The Illinois Reading Council has a library of professional books available for checkout from the IRC Office. This service is only for IRC members at no charge. For more information, please contact the IRC Office at 1-888-454-1341.

IRC Publications

The Illinois Reading Council offers brochures, booklets, and bookmarks that are great resources for teachers to share with parents of their students. 

IRC Training Manual

Illinois Reading Council offers a training manual for America Reads Challenge Tutors, Making a Difference One Student At a Time.

Raise a Reader Program

The Illinois Reading Council and Newspaper In Education joined together in their efforts to promote literacy and the fun of reading. The Raise a Reader program is a reading program for grandparents, parents, and children to spend a few minutes each day reading and completing online activity sheets.