Statements
Please find our latest statements below.
Advance Illinois Statement on Education Trust’s “Segregation Forever” Report
CHICAGO, IL (July 23, 2020) At Advance Illinois, we know that the future viability of our state relies on an education system that works to overcome historic inequities by providing exceptional opportunities for all students.
CHICAGO, IL (July 23, 2020)
At Advance Illinois, we know that the future viability of our state relies on an education system that works to overcome historic inequities by providing exceptional opportunities for all students. However, a recent report published by the Education Trust reveals a persistent and severe underrepresentation of Black and Latino students in higher education. The report, “Segregation Forever,” shows that the representation of Black and Latino students in the country’s top public colleges and universities has decreased or remained disproportionately low in the past 20 years.
We are deeply concerned to learn that, according to the report, the enrollment of Black students at some of Illinois’ top public universities has decreased over the last 20 years. According to the report’s methodology for evaluating student representation, both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) earned grades of ‘F’ for Black enrollment. And while UIC should be commended for maintaining its ‘A’ rating for Latino enrollment, UIUC earned an ‘F’ rating for Latino enrollment.
While we have stellar public institutions in Illinois, these scores are a clear reminder that they, as well as public education advocates and policymakers, have much more work to do to ensure that these campuses reflect the diverse population of the state. Using this study and other tools as guideposts, Advance Illinois will continue to work with our partners in education and civil rights to advocate for greater access, enrollment, retention and completion of Black and Latino students in state-funded colleges and universities. Together, we must do all that we can to increase the presence of diverse students on our college campuses.
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About Advance Illinois
Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a health public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education policy advocacy. To learn more visit advanceillinois.org.
Contact:
Roderick K. Hawkins, Communications Director
rhawkins@advanceillinois.org
José L. García, Communications Associate
jgarcia@advanceillinois.org
Advance Illinois Honors the Life and Legacy of Maria Whelan
CHICAGO, IL (June 11, 2020) We are heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of Maria Whelan, President and CEO of Illinois Action for Children. Maria made it her life’s mission to advocate for children and families across Illinois, and what a champion she was!
CHICAGO, IL (June 11, 2020) We are heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of Maria Whelan, President and CEO of Illinois Action for Children. Maria made it her life’s mission to advocate for children and families across Illinois, and what a champion she was! She was a titan who believed deeply in the power of early childhood education and care and in the value of involving communities and families in the work.
Maria was a giant in the field of early childhood, but also a fierce, funny and warm friend and colleague. Her legacy will live on through her family, her colleagues and the hundreds of thousands of lives she has changed for good, and she will be deeply missed by all fortunate enough to know her. One of the best tributes we can all offer is to carry her work forward with the same level of integrity, fearlessness and no-nonsense she brought to every situation and challenge.
All of us at Advance Illinois extend our hearts and condolences to Maria’s family, the Illinois Action for Children family and all who called her a friend and colleague. It is hard to imagine this work or this world without her energy in it.
Robin Steans
President
Advance Illinois
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About Advance Illinois
Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a health public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education policy advocacy. To learn more visit advanceillinois.org.
Contact:
Roderick K. Hawkins, Communications Director
rhawkins@advanceillinois.org
José García, Communications Associate
jgarcia@advanceillinois.org
Advance Illinois Statement on the FY21 State Budget
CHICAGO, IL (June 4, 2020) In masks and social distancing, and in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, members of the Illinois General Assembly had difficult decisions to make in last month’s special session as they did their part to put our state on the path to recovery.
CHICAGO, IL (June 4, 2020) In masks and social distancing, and in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, members of the Illinois General Assembly had difficult decisions to make in last month’s special session as they did their part to put our state on the path to recovery.
We entered this year with a call for much-needed increased investments in education—from early childhood to higher education. With the impact of COVID-19 on our students and families, that need has intensified, even as the state’s budget circumstances have worsened. Accordingly, we braced ourselves for the worst.
We are relieved that, in many areas, the General Assemblykept the FY 21 education budget at or near the same level as last year, and we recognize and appreciate that this decision reflects Springfield’sunderstanding that education must be a priority always, especially during this unprecedented crisis. With that said, we acknowledge that the state’s finances are unstable. The approved budget relies on roughly $5 billion in borrowing, gives the governor the ability to transfer up to 8 percent of almost any budget line into another budget line and pins hopes on additional and significant federal relief funds.
Hopefully, educators, families and students will take some comfort in knowing that the Evidence-Based Funding formula, and programs that help address the teacher shortage will receive funds on par with last year’s investment (click here for a detailed summary of the budget). And, we congratulate the General Assembly for passing legislation that acknowledges the progress of districts that have been taken over by the state and have made hard-won gains by affording them greater financial predictability, bringing intervention funding into the broader funding formula.
The state’s recovery will depend upon continued investments in early childhood and higher education—areas that have been woefully underfunded for years. While the FY 21 investments mostly stay flat, we applaud the small increases to Early Intervention (EI) and the expansion of federal resources, specifically for early childhood with the new Business Interruption Grants (BIG). We also recognize the importance of maintaining investment in MAP and institutions, especially for our undocumented and other students who are not currently eligible for federal support. We know that more work must be done to ensure that high-quality early childhood programs are available to all children and that college-bound students have access to affordable higher education options. We hope and trust these investments will continue to be a priority for the General Assembly and the governor as our budget situation improves.
We remain grateful to the General Assembly for prioritizing children, even under the cloud of COVID-19 and knowing that we face a steep set of challenges if further revenue does not materialize. But, whether or not our budget improves, we have serious work to do. Research makes it clear that our students and teachers will need more supports, more training and more time to plan and learn if we are to ensure that the impact of this pandemic does not follow children into the future. Recovery will be difficult and take focus and time, but the people of Illinois are resilient. We stand ready to do our part.
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About Advance Illinois
Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a health public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education policy advocacy. To learn more visit advanceillinois.org.
Contact:
Roderick K. Hawkins, Communications Director
rhawkins@advanceillinois.org
José García, Communications Associate
jgarcia@advanceillinois.org
Advance Illinois Stands in Solidarity with the Black Community
“The brutal deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many other Black people at the hands of law enforcement and vigilantes poured salt into a deep wound of racial injustice that has been centuries in the making. After many attempts throughout history by leaders and organizers to heal the wound, the pain and exhaustion have festered into public outrage across the nation.”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The brutal deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many other Black people at the hands of law enforcement and vigilantes poured salt into a deep wound of racial injustice that has been centuries in the making. After many attempts throughout history by leaders and organizers to heal the wound, the pain and exhaustion have festered into public outrage across the nation.”
“Advance Illinois stands in solidarity with those who have raised their voices and peacefully taken to the streets to demand meaningful change. We also commit ourselves to working harder and in better partnership with civil rights, racial justice and community-based organizations to reimagine a public education system that is no longer business as usual. We must acknowledge the racism, missed opportunities and inequities of the past and focus on a future that is rooted in educational equity and opportunity.”
“We all have our work cut out for us, and we must be up for the challenge – a challenge that includes making sure that this agonizing and further illumination of the deep, systemic racism at the root of so much that ails this country brings with it the seeds of change and progress. We owe it to this generation and those that follow to check – and use – our privilege, be a better ally and reaffirm the fact that Black lives matter.”
Robin Steans
President
Advance Illinois Statement on Governor Pritzker’s Extension of Stay-At-Home Order
“In these unprecedented times, it is important that we have leadership that is strong, informed by reliable data and expertise, and puts the safety and wellness of the people first. We applaud Governor Pritzker’s leadership in the COVID-19 crisis and understand the need to extend Illinois’ stay-at-home order through April 30th.”
CHICAGO, IL (March 31, 2020) Advance Illinois President Robin Steans released the following statement in response to Governor Pritzker’s extension of the stay-at-home order for Illinois residents:
“In these unprecedented times, it is important that we have leadership that is strong, informed by reliable data and expertise, and puts the safety and wellness of the people first. We applaud Governor Pritzker’s leadership in the COVID-19 crisis and understand the need to extend Illinois’ stay-at-home order through April 30th.”
“Our hearts go out to the students, parents, and educators impacted by this difficult, but necessary decision. The learning continues, and we are confident that our state agencies, under the leadership of Dr. Carmen Ayala, Ginger Ostro and Secretary Grace Hou, will do everything in their power to work with school districts, programs and institutions to help them make the best of this very challenging moment.”
“We will do our part to advocate for the resources and support needed to recover from the learning loss and other challenges that will be felt across the state as a result of school campuses remaining closed.”
Robin Steans
President
Advance Illinois
About Advance Illinois
Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a health public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education policy advocacy. To learn more visit advanceillinois.org.
Contact:
Roderick K. Hawkins, Communications Director
rhawkins@advanceillinois.org
José García, Communications Associate
jgarcia@advanceillinois.org