1/2 JayLhien Colbert, a grad student at Western Illinois University, shares how programs, offices, & initiatives create opportunities for students to thrive, & why additional state funding is critical to expanding these experiences & investing in students & their future. hubs.la/Q043wLkm0

Read our full statement on Governor JB Pritzker's FY27 Budget Recommendation. hubs.la/Q043JslM0 #Illinois #education #twill

Let’s help universities be community and state anchors by ensuring higher ed is affordable and attainable for every Illinoisan. @govpritzker.illinois.gov invest in an additional $71M in MAP and pass SB13/HB1581 #TransformILHigherEd

Underfunded MCATs strain EBF dollars. Fully funding both ensures every student has what they need to learn & thrive @govpritzker.illinois.gov. #ILSchools

Join us as we introduce our new EAC cohort. Get to know Dr. Christerralyn Brown and her passion and motivation for influencing policy, and ensuring educator preparation pathways are accessible, affordable, and responsive to community needs. hubs.ly/Q042Wxmk0 #educators #illinois #EACmembers

An investment in higher ed is an investment in Illinois. More college graduates means more revenue through state taxes, innovation, and economic growth. Higher ed fuels growth #TransformILHigherEd

½ As decades of state disinvestment continue to strain Illinois’ public universities, Nmari Ward, a senior at Chicago State University, speaks to how learning spaces lack the resources needed for engagement, with the burden falling on faculty—and students paying the price. hubs.la/Q042JB790

IWERC was delighted to be part of an event today on the Illinois Early Childhood Workforce, co-hosted by Latino Policy Forum and Advance Illinois. This event looked back on two seminal reports about the early childhood workforce nationally and in Illinois, while engaging practitioner voices.

Join us as we introduce our new EAC cohort. Get to know Tyler Chance and his advocacy efforts for students to expand their opportunities and ensuring they have choices in school and beyond. hubs.la/Q041Whby0 #educators #illinois #EACmembers

We’ve seen what steady investment can do. Let’s not lose momentum. Equity takes consistency—and courage. $550M for Illinois schools in FY27, @govpritzker.illinois.gov. #FundTheFormula

@govpritzker.illinois.gov, don’t leave behind thousands of students by ignoring college affordability. IL tuition and fees are 40%+ higher than the U.S. average. Students are ready for college, make it affordable by investing $71M additional dollars for #MAPmatters

1/2 Despite a promised 3% funding increase last year, Illinois universities received only 1%. Gabriel Pellebon, a student at Chicago State University shares how decades of underfunding have stretched staff thin & weakened student supports, creating stress and uncertainty. hubs.la/Q041yw6q0

EBF + MCATs = equity and stability. Without both, districts struggle to plan, hire, and support students. Let’s get it right this year, @govpritzker.illinois.gov. $550M for schools in FY27. #FundTheFormula

Imagine what 15,200 additional graduates per year could bring to IL. The path to equitable, higher ed funding is clear. @govpritzker.illinois.gov, be bold and support #SB13/HB1581. It’s time Illinois invests in higher education as the public good we know it is.

When public school funding, policy, and student futures are on the line, teachers don’t stay silent. We are proud of EAC member Sofia Gonzalez for lifting up educator voice and student power in her new @edsurge.com blog. 📖 Read: www.edsurge.com/news/2026-01...

Join us as we introduce our new EAC cohort. Get to know Juletta Ellis as she discusses the power of education and her hope for every student having access to post high school success. hubs.la/Q040QGf40 #educators #illinois #EACmembers

MCATs fund essentials—transportation, special ed, meals. The basics. When those fall short, students pay the price. @govpritzker.illinois.gov, let’s fund MCATs. #FundTheFormula

Today, MAP covers under 50% of tuition and fees. #MAPmatters for low-income and first-gen students who deserve more. @govpritzker.illinois.gov, without an added $71M in FY27, MAP can’t keep up with rising demand and tuition costs.

1/2 As decades of state disinvestment continue to strain Illinois’ public universities, Megan Fox, a senior at Eastern Illinois University, shares what underfunding looks like on campus, with classmates wondering if they’ll return next semester, uncertainty around loans, and more: hubs.la/Q040zNq40

School funding decisions impact school communities every day. As federal uncertainty grows, Illinois public schools need stable funding . Share your perspective and help show what’s at stake across our state. hubs.ly/Q040kXZs0 #educationfunding #Illinois #K12 #schools

Students bear a heavy burden. @govpritzker.illinois.gov without an adequate, equitable investment in higher ed, Illinois is pricing out its students. Support #SB13/HB1581 and show Illinois students what’s possible with accessible higher ed #TransformILHigherEd

What $350M covered in 2017 now costs $470M today. Inflation hits classrooms, too. Our schools can’t do more with less, Illinois must invest $550M for schools this year. @govpritzker.illinois.gov #FundTheFormula

As we wrap up our hashtag#SWI2025 blog series and bring in the new year, Bloomington High School teacher Brandon Thornton shows how connection, culture, and belonging can bring joy back to the classroom. hubs.la/Q03-ZbQf0 #excellenteducators #belonging #swi2025

Read our full statement on the Illinois State Board of Education's FY27 Budget Recommendations. bit.ly/3YHCEDb #Illinois #education #twill

The most powerful education hashtag#stories of impact come from the people living them. We’re highlighting how changes to federal education policies are affecting: 🎓 Students 👩‍🏫 Educators 🏠 Families 📊 Leaders & Researchers Share your experiences here: hubs.la/Q03Zy32h0 #Illinois #Education

1/2 As 2025 comes to a close, we are reflecting on Illinois’ legislative progress for children & families amid federal actions that are impacting the public education landscape.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with leaders shaping education and workforce pathways across Illinois on Feb. 26. Early Bird pricing: $66 through Dec. 31. Visit hubs.la/Q03Wtw3l0 to learn more and register.

In our latest blog, Senior Policy Advisor Kate Buchanan discusses findings from the most recent KIDS report and what the data tell us about where support is most needed to ensure all Illinois' young children are school ready. hubs.la/Q03YxgN50 #kindergarten #education #ECE #Illinois

ICYMI: In our latest blog, experts discuss how data and targeted programming can help strengthen student mental health supports. Read more: hubs.la/Q03Xy5jY0 #swi2025 #studentmentalhealth #data

The most powerful education #stories of impact come from the people living them. We’re highlighting how changes to federal education policies are affecting: 🎓 Students 👩‍🏫 Educators 🏠 Families 📊 Leaders & Researchers Share your experiences here: hubs.la/Q03QBCc50 #Illinois #Education

Trauma changes how students experience school. When survival takes priority, learning suffers. In a new blog, experts discuss the critical role data & programming can play in supporting student mental health. Read today: hubs.la/Q03WHSS20 #swi2025 #studentmentalhealth #data

Don’t miss this chance to connect with leaders shaping education and workforce pathways across Illinois on Feb. 26. Early Bird pricing: $66 through Dec. 31. Visit hubs.la/Q03Wtw3l0 to learn more and register. ⁣

Education policy & funding changes at the federal level ripple into classrooms, homes, & communities. We’re amplifying the voices of those experiencing these shifts firsthand because they deserve to be heard, seen, & understood. Share your story with us: hubs.la/Q03RGS0-0 #stories #impact #Illinois

ICYMI: Rising child care costs are putting more pressure on Illinois families. Hear from two early childhood educators about what this means for caregivers, children, and the classrooms they serve. Read more hubs.la/Q03VJPPQ0 #ChildCareCrisis #affordability #swi2025

Register for the 2026 Success Network Conference: Stronger Together: Creating Opportunity for Every Learner. Join a diverse group of stakeholders committed to enhancing equitable postsecondary attainment across Illinois. Visit hubs.la/Q03T-JgX0 to learn more.

Students, families, educators, and community leaders are living through the impact of changes to federal education policies and spending— and their voices and experiences should be heard. Share your story: hubs.la/Q03VDQfd0 #Education #Illinois #stories #storiesofimpact

Illinois families are feeling the squeeze as child care costs rise. Two early childhood educators discuss the impact of this on caregivers, children, and the work they do. Read more: hubs.la/Q03V0RvJ0 #ChildCareCrisis #affordability #swi2025

ICYMI: Our latest State We’re In report shows that associate degree graduation rates in IL have nearly doubled since 2003. Efforts like JJC's 12x12x12 initiative, built around expanding dual credit opportunities, highlight what’s supporting that progress. hubs.la/Q03SWGdx0 #SWI2025 #dualcredit

1/4 Last week, Advance Illinois joined community partners in Peoria and East Moline for presentations and discussions on The State We’re In 2025, exploring Illinois’ education progress across the full birth-to-postsecondary continuum and examining region-specific data.

Join us and The Southern Illinois University Carbondale staff, faculty & students on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for a rich presentation and conversation on the Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula! Find more details and register at ow.ly/Lac150Xrfbr

The most powerful education #stories of impact come from the people living them. We’re highlighting how changes to federal education policies are affecting: 🎓 Students 👩‍🏫 Educators 🏠 Families 📊 Leaders & Researchers Share your experiences here: hubs.la/Q03THm9p0 #Illinois #Education

At a time when federal attacks on #highered make stable state & local funding more of an imperative, releasing the remaining 2% of appropriated funding to IL public 4-years is vital. Our institutions need these dollars to operate well & ensure students thrive. #StopTheHoldUp bit.ly/4nYtqfZ

According to our latest State We're In report, graduation rates for associate degrees in IL have nearly doubled since 2003. Strategies including Joliet Junior College's 12x12x12 initiative, which centers dual credit, point to what's supporting that progress. hubs.la/Q03SWH150 #SWI2025 #dualcredit

ICYMI: Explore why the loss of even one teacher can have a lasting impact and what solutions are emerging in this installment of the SWI On-the-Ground series. hubs.la/Q03SGnrg0 #SWI2025 #EducationEquity #RuralSchools

Illinois' public universities need every cent of what the state has appropriated them! Illinois Board of Higher Education — #StopTheHoldUp and invest in our students and our state's future! ##TransformILHigherEd

When one teacher leaves a rural district, the impact is felt everywhere — from classrooms to communities. Learn why this challenge matters and what can be done in this installment of our SWI On-the-Ground series: hubs.la/Q03RSgq20 #SWI2025 #EducationEquity #RuralSchools

The most powerful education #stories of impact come from the people living them. We’re highlighting how changes to federal education policies are affecting: 🎓 Students 👩‍🏫 Educators 🏠 Families 📊 Leaders & Researchers Share your experiences here: hubs.la/Q03QBCc50 #Illinois #Education

Illinois has been making postsecondary progress! With increasingly more Illinoisans holding high-quality degrees, the state is further strengthening its communities and local economies. Learn more about The State We’re In, in IL Public Education: hubs.la/Q03Q4JKc0 #swi2025

Read our full statement on @ISBEnews’s just released 2025 Illinois Report Card. bit.ly/4qz59Q3 #Illinois #students #education #twill

Join us on Nov. 5 at 12 p.m. CT for a presentation of findings from our new report, The State We’re In 2025, and a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities ahead. 👉 Register today! hubs.la/Q03PLFZs0 #swi2025 #Illinois #education #students