The data and research are clear: Our country has a long way to go to live up to its ideal of equal opportunity for all. We have persistent gaps in educational access, persistence and completion by race and ethnicity that drive and reinforce economic and health outcome disparities. While there is no single or easy answer to addressing these inequities, we believe the country took a step backward yesterday with the Supreme Court decision against race-conscious college admissions. This is compounded by today's decision to strike down the administration’s actions to cancel student debt for millions of Americans. We believe these decisions will have real and long-term implications in the ability of historically underrepresented minorities to access higher education, and for institutions of higher education to create opportunities for them. This not only hurts these student groups, but it is ultimately to the detriment of communities and the country at large.    

Advance Illinois will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to expand equity in Illinois, despite the constraints created by the Court’s decision against affirmative action in college admissions and executive actions. While we know these decisions make our work more challenging, we hope and trust that state and university leaders will continue to champion and use every tool at their disposal to advance equity and opportunity. Our collective future and well-being depends on ensuring all citizens have equitable access to education at all levels to reach their full potential.

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