Illinois Loves Public Schools

A Peoria legend just got company.
James Banks’ 53‑year‑old long jump record (23' 4") has finally been topped!
Junior Malik Johnson jumped 23' 4.75" at the 2025 Peoria City Meet.

From record‑setting athlete to trusted bus driver, James Banks proves that his legacy lasts long after the sand settles — not just through the distance he once jumped, but through the mile and distance he’s spent giving back to the students and community he loves!

Congratulations to both of these amazing athletes!

It’s great to see students connecting with their community through simple acts of kindness. These 3rd graders in Illinois recently spent time crafting Valentine’s Day cards to honor our local veterans.

These students seem to be having a hopping good time! Springfield Public Schools - District 186

Today is I Love Public Schools Day! I Love Public Schools is a grassroots organization committed to building pride and support for public education, one story at a time.

Join NSPRA in helping celebrate the schools, people and stories that make public education thrive.

📸 Pictured is Dr. Mark T. Bedell, superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) and 2025 NSPRA Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award honoree, at the NSPRA 2025 National Seminar.

🎉 ILPS Swag Giveaway!
In honor of I LOVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Day, we’re giving away some awesome ILPS swag! 💙

To enter:
👉 Follow & Your States Loves Public Schools page (search "Your State" Loves Public school)
👉 Share this post to your story or main page
👉 Comment with why you love public schools

Winners will be announced soon—good luck!

Don’t want to wait to see if you won to get swag? Use code ILPS26 to get 10% off your total order today at https://ilovepublicschools.itemorder.com/shop/home/

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗜 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗦 𝗗𝗮𝘆! ❤

Wear your I Love Public Schools gear or school colors, show off your school pride, and help us celebrate the amazing educators, staff, students, and communities that make public schools so special.

Don’t forget to snap a pic, tag , and share why you love your school!!

At 𝗜 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, we believe public education is the foundation of our communities and the key to a brighter future. Every day, public schools serve over 50 million children, providing access to arts, sports, STEM programs, and so much more. These experiences help students discover their 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄.

Public schools are more than classrooms—they’re places where curiosity is nurtured, diversity is celebrated, and every child has the opportunity to thrive.

✨ 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂! Share your story, your photo, or your reason for loving public education, and join us in celebrating the power and promise of public schools.

Welcome back to school!

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿! On 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟰, we’re celebrating I Love Public Schools Day, a day to show our pride in public education and the amazing work happening in our schools every day. It’s the perfect opportunity to highlight the moments, stories, and people that make your school special.

Start thinking now about the 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼, 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼, 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 you’d like to share to show why you love your school!

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, and let’s spread the love for public education together!

ILPS Board member Blake is super excited for I Love Public Schools Day and so are we! He's ready to put on his school gear and share why he loves our public schools on 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵. The countdown is on!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲'𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻?
Snap a great photo (mission accomplished!).
Post it on Facebook, tag , and use the hashtags.
Show off that public school pride and be entered to win a I Love Public Schools swag!