Spring has now officially sprung, and the Illinois General Assembly is in full swing. We’ll have a full legislative update with more action alerts for you for the upcoming week. Some bills need additional committee votes to get to the floor, including HB 2696, the student data privacy bill we're supporting. Check our social media feeds for info in the meantime: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram.
Looking beyond the state legislature, on the political front and soon-to-be on the economic front, things are rough, and will probably get rougher all around, including for our public schools. Below are some opportunities to stand up, get involved and create community.
The Trump regime is attempting to escalate its illegal attacks on school districts and states that are striving to serve all our kids in welcoming, nurturing educational environments. And the massive tax increase on consumers via Trump’s tariff war may push the global economy into recession. This could have an even more devastating effect on school funding than just slashing federal funds or creating a federal voucher program could. The 2008 recession resulted in shorting $600 billion from public school budgets over the following decade.
But there is lots of resistance at every level defending individuals and the greater good. Holding on to our agency to make change is crucial at this time!
- Protest!
This Saturday April 5th is a major day of protest around the country led by progressive political orgs, unions and, yes, people who are just fed up with the attacks on the public good. The message is to say to the Trump regime: Hands Off all of it—our public schools, health care, Social Security, science, national parks, libraries, museums, the civil rights of immigrants and LGBTQ+ folks, clean air and clean water, cancer research, accurate weather forecasts, and the list just goes on!
Use Mobilize to find the closest event to you. More than three dozen events are listed across Illinois. Daley Plaza in Chicago will be big. But suburbs, Chicago neighborhoods and towns all over the state are organizing events.
- Join up!
If you are near the Northwest Side of Chicago, come join IL-FPS at the Find Your Power organization fair on Sunday, April 6th at 3PM at Eris Brewery and Cider House. RSVP here.
Meet local elected officials and political/advocacy organizations championing the nation, state, and city our communities deserve in these difficult, turbulent political times. Learn how to get involved with these organizations and take action to defend our democracy and fight back against the destructive acts of the Trump regime—interspersed with live music and comedy!
- Build community!
Gather friends, neighbors, fellow public school families together to let your local school leadership know that your community wants inclusive, welcoming schools that strive to educate every kid well. Plan a postcard writing party, and the National Education Association will mail you 25 postcards to send to your superintendent or school board, or you can make your own. Here’s some sample language from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights that you can adapt as well.
School boards around the state held elections this week, and new boards will be seated in May. This is as good a time as any to open channels of communication with your school board!
- Stay informed!
Save the date for the next Depaul College Of Education Forum:
Immigration Policies Impacting Our Schools And Students
Monday, April 21st 5:30 to 7:00 pm (CDT)
The forum is virtual and live-streamed on YouTube
Registration required. Register here.
| Educators and students are concerned about the safety of their families and communities. They have already seen fear and confusion in immigrant communities, increased student absences and both socio-emotional and intellectual setbacks for students. What does this mean for educators and their students? This forum will look at what these policies are and how the rescission of schools as protected areas is creating increased worry in immigrant communities. And, most importantly, what can be done. |
As always, thanks for your continued advocacy! Reach out if you have questions, ideas, etc: [email protected]
-- Team IL-FPS