In the News
Advance Illinois serves as a resource for media outlets from across the state and beyond on policy issues in education from birth to career. Here’s our recent coverage.
Local Educators Seek to Improve Student Learning Post-Pandemic
On Wednesday, local education leaders met at Rockford University for a presentation and discussion hosted in collaboration with the non-profit organization Advance Illinois, Alignment Rockford, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Rockford Public Schools, Harlem School District and Rockford University.
Illinois Educators Ask for $700 Million More Across Early Ed and K-12
Throughout the hearing, school leaders, educators, parents, and advocates pushed for an increase of about $700 million — $120 million for early education and $550 million toward K-12 schools — to the state’s overall education budget for fiscal year 2024, which starts in June 2023.
New Report Shows How COVID Has Altered the Trajectory of Illinois Students' Education
We're about to enter the fourth school year of the pandemic. Data is emerging not just about how COVID-19 is impacting students now, but how the pandemic has altered the trajectory of their education experience.
Chicago Schools Get Smaller Share of State Money After Enrollment Drop, Property Wealth Bump
Chicago is getting a smaller share of new state education funding this year, in part due to a loss of low-income students and an increased property tax base.
There’s plenty of Work To Do To Improve Illinois Schools
Most of us, even if we’re not directly involved with education, already know the COVID-19 pandemic sent a massive shock wave throughout the nation’s public schools system.

