CHICAGO, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker led a group of 17 governors to ask Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to release the nearly $6.8 billion being withheld from schools across the U.S.
In a letter to the secretary, the governors detailed the impact of the missed payments at institutions across the nation. The news release from the governor’s office states that it’s the department’s job to distribute the funding appropriated by Congress, and that not doing so is not following the law.
“The Trump administration is not only openly flouting the law, but they are abandoning their responsibility to our students,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This unprecedented and irresponsible withholding of lawful, bipartisan funding will force cuts to critical programs and hold back the next generation from reaching their full potential.”
Based on fiscal year 2025 grant awards, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board estimate the administration is currently withholding $241.8 million from Illinois schools. The release cites specific programs being impacted as:
- $75.6 million for Supporting Effective Instruction to support 784 local educational agencies and the mentoring of approximately 250 novice superintendents, in addition to providing more than 142,000 professional learning subscriptions for educators through the Ed Leaders Network.
- $30.4 million for English Language Acquisition to provide direct support to 293,070 English learners in 274 districts and 56,842 eligible immigrant students in 137 districts, in addition to supporting professional development, targeted technical assistance, and program monitoring efforts for an estimated 630 districts serving approximately 335,000 English learners.
- $56.6 million for Student Support and Academic Enrichment to increase capacity, provide access to well-rounded education, improve school conditions, and enhance technology and digital literacy in 571 local educational agencies.
- $54.3 million for 21st Century Community Learning Centers to support 118 grants for afterschool programming in public and private entities serving approximately 375 program sites.
- $1.9 million for Migrant Education to serve approximately 1,200 eligible students who are or whose parents are migratory workers.
- $20 million for Adult Education Basic Grants to support a continuum of education programming and services including basic literary and skills instruction, digital literacy, college and career readiness, integrated education and training, and employability skill development.
- $3 million for Adult Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education to support English learners with skills needed for employment in high-demand industries.
Pritzker warns that further delaying the release of the funds could result in high-impact, immediate, and long-term consequences for Illinois students. He states that school leaders will be forced to make impossible budgeting decisions without the promised and legally entitled federal funds. Students also run the risk of losing summer and after-school programs, tutoring, and language support.
Other states that signed the letter with Pritzker include:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Maine
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Wisconsin
A copy of the full letter can be found below.
