Mark your Calendars
ICSS 2025 Fall Conference
Friday, October 17, 2025
Harper College
Palatine Illinois

Conference Theme: United We Teach: The Social Studies Classroom as a Laboratory for Civic Trust
 
The Call for Session Proposals and Keynote Panelists will go out in late July. Registration begins in August. 



Welcome
to the
​Illinois Council for the Social Studies!

Welcome Social Studies Educators!

Founded in 1938, The Illinois Council for the Social Studies is Illinois’ premiere professional organization for Pre-K-Graduate Level Social Science educators.

ICSS works to develop the professional skill of social studies classroom teachers, engage in dialogue regarding best-practices in the social studies, and serve as a venue for the ongoing task of educating Illinois’ students in history, geography, civics, economics, psychology, sociology, religious studies, and other areas critical to sustaining our democratic institutions.

As an affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies, (NCSS), the Illinois Council for the Social Studies serves as the professional home for many Illinois teachers.

With the ever-growing complexity of the education landscape, having a venue for dialogue regarding social studies teaching is more important than ever. ICSS is committed to engaging in this dialogue in a broad effort to serve students, families, teachers, and all the people of Illinois.

Please browse the pages on this site to learn more about professional development opportunities and the NCSS. You may also follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Twitter by clicking on the icons at the bottom of the page.

You are invited to contact ICSS Executive Director Ben Wellenreiter or any member of the ICSS Board of Directors for more information.
 
Sincerely,

Dr. Benjamin R. Wellenreiter
Executive Director
Illinois Council for the Social Studies
Associate Professor, Middle Level Education
School of Teaching and Learning
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
[email protected]

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Congratulations to the
​2025 ICSS Executive Board Members!

President--Andy Levin, Harper College
Vice-President--William Gunn, Lincolnwood High School
Secretary--Jacquelyn Benchik-Osborne, Chicago State University
Treasurer--John Rathbun
Historian-- Megan VanGorder, Governors State University
Region 1 Representative-- Aubrey Southall, Aurora University
Region 2 Representative-- Megan VanGorder, Governors State University
Region 3 Representative
Region 4 Representative--Jay Bickford, Eastern Illinois University
Region 5 Representative--Ryan D’Arcy, Bond County high School
Region 6 Representative-- Brandon West, Altamont Lutheran Interparish School
Member at Large--Lauren Brown, Oak Park
Member at Large--Kathleen Mahoney, Lake View High School
Member at Large--Olivia Leiby
Member at Large--Crystal Johnson, Chicago History Museum

ICSS Constitution Revision
ICSS membership approved the revised Constitution. This revision will increase representation across grade levels, special interest groups, and subject areas.
The new Constitution can be found here.