Our mission is to provide support and leadership to all who promote and teach lifelong literacy.

  

Welcome to the website of the Illinois Reading Council (IRC)!

IRC is one of the most vital literacy organizations in the nation and we hope that, if you are not a member, you will consider joining us.

Members of IRC receive our highly acclaimed IRC Journal and our monthly online IRC Communicator newsletter.  Both of these publications are packed with relevant and interesting articles. Members have access to empowering literacy webinars, are able to participate in inspiring online book clubs, and have an opportunity to attend one of the foremost literacy conferences in the country that IRC holds each year.  Members may also apply for one of several grants or awards in order to support their own literacy work. 

IRC supports our 32 local and special interest councils across Illinois that also provide a rich variety of resources and programs for educators.  IRC has many committees focusing on topics as varied as international projects, family literacy, educational media, and professional learning. Explore this website to learn more about IRC. 

If you have questions, reach out to us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 309-454-1341.  We look forward to partnering with you to promote lifelong literacy.

Learn More About IRC

IRC CONFERENCE
LITERACY IN BLOOM:  GROWING READERS AND IDEAS
MARCH 10-12, 2022
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

Register Today

 
IRC Workshop Series will be held online during October 2021!

The Illinois Reading Council is excited to present the October 2021 IRC Workshop Series that will feature 2-hour workshops on timely topics with a few outstanding literacy leaders in education.  Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle will share 4 Essential Studies:  Beliefs and Practices to Reclaim Student Agency; Kylene Beers and Bob Probst will share Reading for Independence:  How Reading Will Save Kids and Tomorrow; and Jan Richardson will share What To Do When Kids Just Don't Get It:  Prompting Deeper Understanding During Guiding Reading.

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IRC PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PADLET

IRC Professional Learning Committee is working on a new resource bank of teaching and literacy tools to support the best practices in literacy learning.  Please take some time to check out this new and exciting resource.

Access IRC Professional Learning Padlet

 
IRC WEBINAR SERIES

IRC offers monthly webinars for members only.  Members can watch the live or recorded webinars to earn PD clock hours.  Mark your calendars to take part in this convenient, free IRC membership benefit.

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FALL 2021 IRC BOOK CLUB

Read, reflect on, and respond to Cultivating Genius and/or Troublemakers book clubs.  IRC Members who complete all assignments will be eligible to receive 15 PD clock hours for each book club.  Register by October 15th.

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Illinois Reads

Under the auspices of the Illinois Reading Council, Illinois Reads is a yearly statewide project to promote reading for all Illinois citizens.  Six books in six age bands from birth to adult are selected each year.  The work of the Illinois Authors is highlighted.  Order bookmarks and posters for your students today!

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IRC Professional Learning and Development Services

IRC PL&D offers a cadre of educators available for onsite training and custom literacy programs to assist you and your faculty reach all of your educational goals.

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IRC PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PADLET

IRC Professional Learning Padlet is provided by the IRC PL Committee to provide a resource bank of teaching and literacy tools to support the best practices in literacy learning.  Special thanks to the members and IRC councils that have shared these resources.

Access to IRC PLC Padlet
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