The clock is ticking. Illinois families deserve fully funded schools.
Parents and students are asking for change now.
With one year left until the promise lawmakers made to fully fund the evidence-based funding formula (EBF), explore stories from Illinois parents and students who can no longer wait for the promise of an equitable school funding system; we need it now.
Now more than ever, in the face of unprecedented federal cuts to education, underfunded classrooms, and the threat of school privatization, we must make good on the promise of fully funding the evidence-based funding formula (EBF).
In 2026, Illinois lawmakers passed another year of only the minimum amount for the EBF formula. With just one year to go until the June 30, 2027, target set by Illinois lawmakers for all K-12 students in Illinois to have access to a public education system with the resources necessary to deliver a high-quality education, another year of minimum investment fails to meet Illinois’ stated commitment to be a champion for public education.
The clock is ticking legislators. Students cannot wait.
More Than a Formula
From East St. Louis to Waukegan and across the city of Chicago, every child deserves a fully-funded and well-resourced school. We make up diverse individuals from all across the state, joining together for more than just an increase to a funding formula - we want a generational change.
Meet Krystal
Meet Ethan
Meet Maria
Meet Adanna
Meet Noah
Meet Michelle
Meet Patricia
Meet Chinella
Our Schools, Our Stories
Krystal, a parent from Waukegan.
Ethan a student from Forest Park, IL.
Adanna, a parent raising her daughter in Chicago.
Noah, a student from Forest Park, IL.
Maria, a community member on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
Patrica, a para-professional in Chicago Public Schools.
Meet Erica
“The underfunding really affects the students because then we’re not able to have extra activities or extracurricular activities for the children.”
Chicago, IL
The Cost of Underfunding
A fully funded EBF formula could mean 22,166 more core and specialist teachers positions in Illinois.
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A fully funded EBF formula could mean 22,166 more core and specialist teachers positions in Illinois. 〰️
Meet Arminda
Chicago, IL