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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 […]

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! She was a titan who believed deeply in the power […]

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. We entered this year with a call […]

Advance Illinois Stands in Solidarity with the Black Community

“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 […]

From the Desk of Robin Steans – Education Must Remain a High Priority for Illinois – Early Childhood

This is the final installment of our three-part series that shares our views on the urgency of providing resources and ongoing support to early childhood education, K-12, and postsecondary. This is the early childhood installment. From the Desk: Education Must Remain a High Priority for Illinois – Part 3: Early Childhood Dear Friends and Colleagues, Consistent […]

From the Desk of Robin Steans – Education Must Remain a High Priority for Illinois – Higher Education

This is the second in our three-part series that shares our views on the urgency of providing resources and ongoing support to early childhood education, K-12 and postsecondary. This is the postsecondary installment. From the Desk: Education Must Remain a High Priority for Illinois – Part 2: Higher Education Dear Friends and Colleagues, We know that […]

From the Desk of Robin Steans – Education Must Remain a High Priority for Illinois – K-12

This is the first in a three-part series that will share our views on the urgency of providing resources and ongoing support to early childhood education, K-12 and postsecondary. We begin with K-12. From the Desk: Education Must Remain a High Priority for Illinois – Part 1: K-12 Dear Friends and Colleagues, As the world […]

From the Desk of Robin Steans – We’re in this Together

We’re in this Together Dear Friends and Colleagues, I never imagined there would be a time that I would be reaching out to you in the midst of a global health crisis that has closed the doors of schools around our nation and across Illinois. However, this is the world we are in today. All […]