Advance Illinois

09/03/2026

The Illinois Education Watch: Federal Education Policy Tracker helps Illinoisans understand federal changes affecting education and care, what's changing, why it matters, and key opportunities ahead to support every child and student. https://hubs.la/Q04w75Y00

09/02/2026

Don’t delay! Subscribe to Advance Illinois’ This Week in Review for the latest news, developments, reports and more impacting students, families and school communities. https://hubs.la/Q04w6DJL0

09/01/2026

Over the last month, our campaign reviewed access to early childhood education and care, rising costs, workforce challenges, and their impact on children, families, communities, and the state, highlighting the challenges facing providers and the workforce.

In this final blog, we see that while there is more work to be done, Illinois is making progress in strengthening its early childhood education and care ecosystem to ensure our youngest learners and families can thrive and succeed. https://hubs.la/Q04w67_N0

09/01/2026

Public News Service covers Illinois’ Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) model and the progress it has made over the last decade. With the formula directing funding to districts with greater student needs, Robin Steans, President of Advance Illinois, underscores its role in helping close the state's long-standing education and equity gaps. https://hubs.la/Q04w5rZb0

Illinois is marking 10 years of its Evidence-Based Funding model, which has brought more than $3.2 billion in additional state funding to public schools.The formula is designed to direct more

09/01/2026

📣 Illinoisans: Your Education Story Matters

We’re collecting personal stories from people across Illinois about how federal education policies have shaped your or your family’s access to and experience in education — from early childhood programs through college and beyond.

Whether it’s Head Start, IDEA, Title I, Pell Grants, FAFSA, school nutrition programs, or other federal initiatives — we want to hear how these policies have impacted real lives, not just statistics.

✅ You can share anonymously
✅ All experiences welcome — positive, challenging, or somewhere in between

Share your story here: https://hubs.la/Q04w4Zy20

Your voice can help illuminate the real impact of federal education policy in Illinois. Thank you for contributing to this important conversation!

08/31/2026

We're hiring! Advance Illinois is looking for a Director of Development to join our team. We’re seeking a strategic thinker committed to strengthening public education statewide and growing our impact. Please share with your networks and apply today: https://hubs.la/Q04v-bbD0

08/27/2026

There is still work to do to ensure that all eligible children and families have access to affordable early care and learning opportunities. Of 189 school district regions classified as pre-K deserts (a gap of 15 or more seats), over 50% were identified as areas with 100% need, or where there are as many needed slots as there are priority eligible children.

While the state distributed additional funding to these regions and added 5,800 pre-K slots under the Smart Start initiative, the high cost of pre-K and staffing shortages have forced providers to decline slots, perpetuating inequities in access for families.

08/27/2026

For updates and developments on federal actions in education and care, and their impacts on Illinois families, students, and children, visit: https://hubs.la/Q04vhlnT0

08/26/2026

Factors including Head Start program's ability to reach eligible families and conversion of slots to Early Head Start placements have contributed to enrollment trends, highlighting that there is still work to do to ensure our youngest learners have access to high-quality early learning.

08/26/2026

What’s happening across Illinois in education and beyond? Stay informed on the latest news and developments from early childhood education and care through higher education. Subscribe to This Week in Review: https://hubs.la/Q04vp2wQ0