Public School Parent Speaks at Springfield Presser on Behalf of PEER Illinois

On Wednesday 10/29, PEER Illinois joined the Illinois Revenue Alliance (ILRA) in Springfield to call on the General Assembly to decouple from the federal administration’s tax bill and fully fund Illinois Public Schools. Alexandra Graham, a public school parent and organizer in East St. Louis, spoke on behalf of our coalition at ILRA’s presser.

Here is her full statement:

My name is Alexandra Graham, and as a mother of five children who were educated in public schools, I urge you to fully fund and support our public education system. My children received some of their education in the district [D189], and while I am proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the teachers and staff who guided them, I know that with smaller class sizes, creative and engaging curriculum, and greater investment in the arts, they could have benefited even more. Every child is not an athlete—some shine in music, art, or innovation—and all children deserve the chance to discover their strengths.

It is also essential that we address trauma-informed care for both students and educators. Two of my daughters would have found school less stressful if they had simply felt safe. Children cannot reach their fullest learning potential when they are overwhelmed by fear or anxiety.

Beyond being a parent, I have had the privilege of collaborating and working alongside District 189 for the past twenty-seven years. I have seen both the struggles and the triumphs. The district has made great strides, but there is still a long way to go. With proper funding, our teachers and administrators can continue to build on their progress—equipping students to become the leaders of tomorrow.

However, this work cannot continue without adequate resources. Professional development, sufficient staffing, and equitable access to technology are not luxuries, they are necessities. Too many families in our community still lack basic tools such as Wi-Fi and computers, putting their children at a disadvantage from the start. Poverty is real, and no child’s potential should be limited by their zip code, religion, skin color, disability, or family income.

All children deserve a fair and equal opportunity to succeed.  As we can very well see, opportunities are becoming even fewer and further in between. Current legislation threatens to take away that opportunity by reducing the funds available to our public schools. I believe if given the right opportunities they will have a chance to win in life. I call on our leaders to decouple from the Trump-era tax bill and fully fund public education so that every child—regardless of background—has the chance to thrive.

As a proud mother whose children all graduated high school. two with college degrees and two more still pursuing a higher education.  I can say firsthand that community support and access to resources make all the difference. Let us ensure that every family can say the same. There is a saying that “Knowledge is power, but wisdom is key.” Wisdom is strength, it is discernment. Please use it wisely.