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Pritzker says $241.8 million federal funding for Illinois schools being withheld

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* Press release…

Governor JB Pritzker led an effort with governors from 16 states calling upon Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to release approximately $6.8 billion that the Trump Administration is withholding from schools and students across America, including in Illinois. Governors from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin all signed onto the letter, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of the withholding.

In a new letter, the governors detailed the impact of these missed payments across the nation’s education system and urged the Department to follow the law and fulfill their basic obligation to distribute funding appropriated by Congress.

“The Trump administration is not only openly flouting the law, 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 (ISBE) and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) estimates the Trump Administration is currently withholding $241.8 million from Illinois schools, community colleges and adult education providers and students. Impacted programs include:

Delaying the release of these funds will have significant immediate and long-term consequences for learners at all levels in every corner of the state. School leaders will be forced to make impossible budgeting decisions without these promised and legally entitled federal funds, including postponing hiring or eliminating instructional positions. Students may also lose access to summer and afterschool programs, tutoring, and language support.

Governor Pritzker has made expanding educational opportunity a priority throughout his tenure. His administration has increased funding for Illinois schools every year in office, with a total increase of more than $2.5 billion. In higher education, funding for MAP grants and scholarships has increased by more than 75% and annual funding for public universities and community colleges has grown by more than $250 million.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 17, 25 @ 11:52 am

Comments

  1. Getting feeling the state and these schools are gonna have to accept that the money is likely gone. With this week’s vote, seems like Congress is pretty willing to give up its spending authority to the executive branch.

    Comment by TreeFiddy Thursday, Jul 17, 25 @ 12:34 pm

  2. This is all going to get much, much worse. To me it’s sad that people with no understanding of state-federal partnership are crashing the car into a wall.

    Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Jul 17, 25 @ 1:59 pm

  3. I’m glad that Pritzker is leading the charge here. I wish there were significantly more outrage. That money doesn’t belong to the executive branch, and the executive branch doesn’t get to decide what to do with it. That money is my money (and the money of the other commenters here) that was directed to these purposes by our duly elected legislators. Really, really upsetting stuff.

    Comment by Garfield Ridge Guy Thursday, Jul 17, 25 @ 2:03 pm

  4. The money isn’t coming. Title 2 does not have money for next year either.

    Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 17, 25 @ 2:26 pm

  5. –The money isn’t coming. Title 2 does not have money for next year either.–

    What impact will this have on your school? Our super didn’t have an answer at last evening’s meeting.

    Comment by Stix Hix Thursday, Jul 17, 25 @ 2:42 pm

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