Advance Illinois Statement on Recent Executive Actions 

Written By Advance Illinois

Like others, Advance Illinois has been working to process rapid and unfolding executive actions by the new White House administration - actions that have created great unease and fear in communities across our state; actions that challenge the diverse identities we walk in and disrupt the sense of security children and families find in hospitals, places of worship, colleges, childcare centers and schools.  

With a diverse set of partners, Advance Illinois works hard to build and sustain an education system that supports all children to reach their full potential, knowing that when children thrive, so, too, do their families, communities and the broader state and nation in which they live. All of us benefit when the next generation is well cared for and educated, and we have a responsibility to make sure families have access to and avail themselves of affordable high-quality early childhood education and care for their young children, public schools that are well-resourced to meet the academic and learning needs of students, and opportunities to afford and seek a college or technical degree.  

Like many others in this work, we have seen the devastating impact that trauma and stress can have on students and families, and on the schools and communities in which they live and learn. Illinois has directed significant new dollars to schools over the past seven years, and we were not surprised to see districts hire additional counselors, social workers, and generally invest more deeply and intentionally in addressing mental health issues. This investment reflects what every educator and parent knows: students cannot learn if they are not safe and supported, they cannot learn if they are ostracized, and they cannot learn if their parents are afraid to send them to school. 

So we are concerned to see executive orders fomenting dramatic policy changes around the rights afforded to transgender and undocumented students and individuals – changes being implemented quickly and with little input or discussion, and changes spurring significant fear and uncertainty. We know that educational and care professionals across Illinois and the country will be working hard to maintain as much stability and security as they can in the face of these broader policy moves, and in the face of possible law enforcement actions. To those of you in our childcare centers and homes, schools, and colleges, thank you for being the consistent supportive presence our young people and their families need. Thank you for availing yourselves of every resource you can to ensure families know their rights and can continue to access health care, education and worship in a way that benefits all of us and that upholds the standards of humanity, equity, and decency we hold dear. 

As we work with so many across Illinois to build a healthy education system and nurture the next generation, we have fought to make schools, childcare centers, and colleges places where children can learn and thrive. We lament any action that brings politics, division, and intolerance into such spaces. We hope national leaders will give this issue the attention it deserves, and we appreciate and applaud those at the local level providing badly needed information, support, and courage. 

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If you want to learn more: 

Advance Illinois
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