Kids First Chicago

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[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Stay connected with Kids First Chicago by following us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Threads for all updates and new content.

[Advance Illinois @advanceillinois]

Good news! Late last week @GovPritzker released the remaining 2% of FY26 funding for #highered that was previously withheld in contingency—including about $25 million for public universities.

The absence of those funds exacerbated the fiscal pressure universities and students already face due to long-term state under-investment. It is time to adopt a state funding formula that is adequate, equitable, and stable. Great news: a compelling solution exists! (SB13/HB1581) #PassAEF #transformILHigherEd

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Investments in education matter. Illinois students are counting on us—and on you, @HouseDemsIL @RobynGabel @SenatorHalpin. Let’s fund their futures with $550M for schools in FY27. #FundTheFormula

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

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

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

When MCATs fall short, school leaders have to make difficult decisions - pulling money from key resources like educators and support staff to fill the gap. Invest in MCATs with $100M in FY27, @SenatorHalpin @senatorgraciela @senatorbelt. #FundTheFormula

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Adequacy, stability, & equity matters. $450M for EBF + $100M for MCATs ensures districts can plan, & support students without shifting dollars away from classrooms. @HouseDemsIL @ILSenDems @ILSenateGOP @ILHouseGOP let’s get it done. #FundTheFormula

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Underfunded MCATs strain EBF dollars. Fully funding both ensures every student has what they need to learn & thrive. @HouseDemsIL @ILSenateGOP @ILHouseGOP @ILSenDems. #ILSchools

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Investments in education matter. Illinois students are counting on us—and on you, @HouseDemsIL @ILSenateGOP @ILHouseGOP @ILSenDems. Let’s fund their futures with $550M for schools in FY27. #FundTheFormula

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

MCATs fund essentials—transportation, special ed, meals. The basics. When those fall short, students pay the price. @HouseDemsIL @ILSenateGOP @ILHouseGOP @ILSenDems, let’s fund MCATs. #FundTheFormula

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Black History is Now. Black History is Chicago. / La historia de la raza negra es ahora. La historia de la raza negra es Chicago. - https://t.co/Uiigmzqwi6

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Thank you for joining us! / ¡Gracias por acompañarnos! - https://t.co/etPiL8Odfk

[Funding IL's Future @FundILFuture]

Los estudiantes de Illinois cuentan con nosotros y con usted, @GovPritzker. Financiemos su futuro con $550M para las escuelas en el año fiscal 2027. Las inversiones en la educación son importantes. #FundtheFormula

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

Illinois students are counting on us—and on you, @GovPritzker. Let’s fund their futures with $550M for schools in FY27. Investments in education matter. #FundTheFormula

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

New Report: Chicago’s Enrollment Crisis, Part Three / Nuevo Informe: La Crisis de Inscripción en Chicago, Parte tres - https://t.co/V084zqPPlC

[Kids First Chicago @KidsFirstChi]

New Report: Chicago’s Enrollment Crisis, Part Three / Nuevo Informe: La Crisis de Inscripción en Chicago, Parte tres - https://t.co/zYDd1Nrabx

[Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune]

Continued enrollment declines at Chicago Public Schools could escalate into a “crisis” that impact the city’s public education system. https://t.co/dvmKXEEwfC

[UChicago Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP) @ChicagoUTEP]

Fewer families are choosing to send their children to Chicago Public Schools. Find out what's going on from Chalkbeat. https://t.co/eInQbYAqoG

[Mila Koumpilova @MilaKoumpilova]

Over the years, as the number of kids in Chicago shrank, one thing stayed steady:

75% of school-aged children went to the city's public schools.

But post-COVID, that "market share" slipped by almost 5 percentage points, via new @KidsFirstChi analysis.
https://t.co/0BaWOwDLph

[IL School Network @ILSchoolNet]

Declining enrollment in Chicago Public Schools could lead to crisis if unchecked, report says https://t.co/50vmueSIVU

[Chalkbeat Chicago @chalkbeatCHI]

After remaining stable for years, the portion of school-aged children in Chicago who attend its public schools has shrunk slightly since the start of the pandemic, according to a new analysis from the nonprofit Kids First Chicago. https://t.co/ipBET5D742

[Chalkbeat Chicago @chalkbeatCHI]

Through years of steady pre-COVID enrollment losses in Chicago Public Schools, one thing stayed consistent: Roughly 75% of school-aged children in the city attended the district. In recent years, though, that “market share” has slipped: https://t.co/DlBgufRZxJ