Advance Illinois | Advance Illinois

Advance Illinois Responds to Governor Pritzker’s Proposed FY22 Budget

Contact:Advance Illinois Communicationscommunications@advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, IL – Illinois faces serious budgetary challenges, which have been exacerbated by the dramatic impact of COVID-19. It will not be easy to address the many and varied issues that pre-existed the pandemic and have been compounded by it. Governing is hard, and we do not envy the governor or members of the General Assembly who have difficult […]

From the Desk of Robin Steans – 2021: A Year of Building Back Better

From the Desk: 2021: A Year of Building Back Better Dear Friends and Colleagues, Like many of you, I was glad to say goodbye to 2020. However, even as vaccinations are underway and we can begin to imagine returning to a new “normal” in the year ahead, it is clear 2021 will present its own challenges. COVID-19 is […]

Advance Illinois Applauds Passage of HB2170, Education Omnibus Bill

Contact:Advance Illinois Communicationscommunications@advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, IL – Advance Illinois applauds the leadership of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus in passing HB2170. HB2170, also known as the Education Omnibus Bill, represents an important step in advancing racial equity in Illinois’ education system. As a whole, the bill is designed to increase educational access and opportunities for Black students, other students of color and students from low-income households throughout the state. As part of the Black Caucus’ ambitious agenda, […]

Illinois Students, Parents and Caregivers Share the Challenges of Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A new report from Advance Illinois highlights the various experiences of students and their families during the pandemic and how state leaders can better serve them in the years ahead. Contact:Taryn WilliamsJosé L. Garcíacommunications@advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, IL – Today, Advance Illinois released its report, Education in a Pandemic: Learning from Illinois Students & Caregivers to Plan for the Road Ahead. The report encapsulates what Illinois’ school communities – including […]

Advance Illinois Statement on the New Illinois Educator Preparation Profile System

Contact:Advance Illinois Communicationscommunications@advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, IL – Starting in 2015, ISBE leadership brought together a diverse set of stakeholders to create a tool that would, for the first time, shed light on the workings and impact of Illinois’ teacher and principal preparation programs. While much is known about the outcomes of our PK-12 system and is publicly available online, there […]

Advance Illinois Statement on Illinois P-20 Council and EdSystems Framework Report

Contact:Advance Illinois Communicationscommunications@advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, IL (November 19, 2020) – Students and educators across the state continue engaging in various methods of learning and adjusting in real-time as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages through our communities with no end in sight. And, it is clear that the circumstances have made information gathering much more difficult for the […]

Advance Illinois Statement Regarding the Illinois State Board of Education 2020 Illinois Report Card

Contact:Advance Illinois Communicationscommunications@advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, IL (October 30, 2020) – Today, the Illinois State Board of Education released its 2020 Illinois Report Card. On behalf of Advance Illinois, president Robin Steans shares the following statement: “First, I want to applaud ISBE for its transparency and honesty in this year’s report card. We all can agree that 2020 has been a year unlike any other. […]

New Data Show Statewide Snapshot of Kindergarten Readiness Encouraging Progress on Kindergarten Readiness: Still A Long Way To Go

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:José L. Garcíajgarcia@advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, IL – Data from the statewide Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS), released today by the Illinois State Board of Education, provides a snapshot of the skills of beginning kindergarteners in Illinois in the fall of 2019 and reflects the second consecutive year of increases in kindergarten readiness scores. […]

From the Desk of Robin Steans – Under Impossible Circumstances, Let’s Do Remote Right…

From the Desk: Under Impossible Circumstances, Let’s Do Remote Right… Dear Friends and Colleagues, …But first, thank you. As we write, schools across the state are beginning to open. They do so amidst the most challenging set of circumstances we are ever likely to face and with only imperfect options. We want to begin by […]

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. 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 […]