Education
Pritzker Joins Letter Demanding Release of Federal Education Funding, Including $240M for Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker takes questions from reporters on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at the Illinois Capitol. (Jerry Nowicki / Capitol News Illinois)
Gov. JB Pritzker, along with 16 governors of Democratic-led states, signed a letter Thursday to demand the release of billions of dollars in education federal grant funding that is being withheld by the Trump administration.
The nearly $6.8 billion in frozen federal funds includes more than $240 million meant for Illinois schools, community colleges and adult education providers and students, according to the governor’s office.
The Department of Education informed states June 30 that it would not issue grants for various programs following an internal review, according to a letter signed by the governors. The funding was expected to be made available to states starting July 1.
“This delay is arbitrary, unprecedented, and indefensible,” the letter read. “Schools and adult education providers in our states have built their budgets for the upcoming school year around these allocations, which are now left in limbo.”
The letter was signed by Pritzker, as well as the governors of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. The letter was addressed to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought.
The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board estimates the Trump administration is currently withholding $241.8 million from the state.
Impacted programs include: $75.6 million for professional development for educators, $56.6 million for various student support and school upgrades, $54.3 million for after-school programming, $30.4 million for English learners programs, $20 million for adult education and career readiness, $3 million for adult English learners programs and civics education and $1.9 million for migrant education.
The delayed release of the federal funds means school leaders will be forced to make “impossible” budgeting decisions, including postponing hiring or eliminating instructional positions, according to the governor’s office. Students could also lose access to summer and after-school programs, tutoring and language support.
The letter comes after more than 20 Democratic-led states, including Illinois, sued the Trump administration Monday, accusing the administration for unlawfully withholding the more than $6 billion in funds Congress set aside for K-12 and adult education.
“With the start of the school year only a month away for many Illinois students, the Trump administration’s illegal funding freeze is wreaking havoc on school budgets, suspending programs and causing stress and anxiety for families who depend on them,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a Monday statement.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
