Statements
Please find our latest statements below.
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.
###
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
Advance Illinois Responds to Governor Pritzker’s Proposed FY21 Budget
“The State of Illinois faces real and serious financial challenges, that much is clear and known. That said, we are deeply disappointed that, in his FY21 budget proposal, Governor Pritzker has chosen to invest in the children of Illinois based on the hope that a fair tax amendment will pass in November.”
CHICAGO, IL (February 19, 2020) Advance Illinois President Robin Steans released the following statement in response to Governor Pritzker’s proposed FY21 budget:
“The State of Illinois faces real and serious financial challenges, that much is clear and known. That said, we are deeply disappointed that, in his FY21 budget proposal, Governor Pritzker has chosen to invest in the children of Illinois based on the hope that a fair tax amendment will pass in November. This two-tiered budget—with some dollars immediately available and authorized, and some dollars held in reserve pending passage of a constitutional amendment enabling a progressive income tax—is a significant blow to our children and the adults who are committed to shaping their futures.”
“In his proposed budget, the governor has allocated $200Mfor Evidence-Based Funding, with an additional $150M held in reserve. This raises two very serious alarms. First, and most importantly, the state has made a clear and statutory commitment to invest no less than $350million in the K-12 system each year for ten years. As proposed, this budget runs the real risk of turning its back on that commitment and the children who depend on it.”
“Secondly, and practically speaking, the budget, as proposed, means that school districts around the state must and will plan around the assured $200M increase, depriving students in already underfunded districts of additional programming and supports enabled by the $150M reserve. This same planning and budgeting challenge will play out in child care centers, preschools, community colleges and universities.”
“In a world where the current Minimum Funding Level won’t get us to full funding in the promised ten-year timeframe, and where we want schools to put new dollars to work for children as quickly and effectively as possible, theFY21 investment strategy is devastating.”
“We urge Governor Pritzker and the members of the General Assembly to seriously reconsider the budget as presented and find ways to invest in the future of Illinois with resources that are available now. Our schools need the full $350 million that has been promised, even as we work to assure a stronger fiscal base to permit even greater investments going forward. Childcare centers, schools, colleges and universities need both adequate funding and predictability throughout the academic year to provide for the diverse needs of students across the state. They cannot build budgets based on hopes and assumptions. Our children’s futures require dependable and steady investments, and they count on us to keep our promises.”
Robin Steans
President
Advance Illinois
Advance Illinois Congratulates Ginger Ostro on Appointment as Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education
CHICAGO, IL (January 8, 2020) “All of us at Advance Illinois congratulate our former colleague and friend Ginger Ostro on her appointment as the next Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).
CHICAGO, IL (January 8, 2020) “All of us at Advance Illinois congratulate our former colleague and friend Ginger Ostro on her appointment as the next Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). Ginger led Advance Illinois during a critical time in our growth and was on the front lines of the coalition that fought for and won a more fair and equitable school funding model for our state.”
“Ginger is an outstanding leader who is passionate about education and public service. She is an experienced and smart choice for this role. We wish her and the IBHE board and staff success as they work to ensure that our public and private colleges and universities have the resources and support they need to prepare our students for success in the workforce and in civic life.”
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 Hawkins, Communications Director
rhawkins@advanceillinois.org
Ammanuel M. Ayalew, Communications Associate
aayalew@advanceillinois.org
Click here to read the announcement of the governor’s announcement of the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding.