Reflecting on K-12 Advocacy Day 2026

Last Thursday, more than 120 advocates made up of education advocates, students, parents, and school community leaders joined in Springfield for Funding Illinois’ Future (FIF) Coalition for the 2026 K-12 Funding Advocacy Day. The day focused on raising awareness and calling for increased investments in the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) Formula and Mandated Categoricals (MCATs).  Together, we gathered in Springfield to meet with legislators and discuss the ways school funding impacts their school communities. 

Despite notable progress since the Evidence-Based Funding Formula passed in 2017, three out of four Illinois students still attend underfunded districts, and public schools still face a $3 billion gap to reach full adequacy. This gap translates into fewer resources and fewer opportunities for students across the state. MCATs, which fund legally required services like transportation, special education, and free and reduced-price meals, are vital to schools and remain stubbornly underfunded by an estimated $1 billion, placing an additional strain on school budgets.

The energy surrounding Advocacy Day morning was palpable, with advocates from all over the state gathered, wearing the FIF orange, ready to rally alongside state leaders for access to a high-quality education for all students. We heard from Representative Will Davis (30th District), Deputy Majority Leader Elizabeth Hernandez (2nd District), and Representative Michael Crawford (31st District), urging advocates to raise their voices, because they matter, and because their education matters. Chicago Public Schools Board Member Jessica Biggs, joined by Carlos Rivas, also underscored the need for students to have the funding and resources they need.   

Peoria students Darrick Washington, Carolina Cabrera, and Antonio Johnson Jr. and senior Ethan Hook from Vienna High School shared their experiences and what funding means to them as students. Ethan described himself as a return on investment of the EBF formula. He explained how the formula helped move his district from 52% adequacy to 78%, and how school supports have helped him on his path to becoming an Illinois educator, following in his family’s footsteps. Tyler Chance, assistant principal at Carbondale Community High School described what full funding could make possible—expanding whole child initiatives and wraparound supports, increasing STEM and reading interventions, and hiring additional staff to support English Learners on their path to proficiency. 

As the advocates dispersed to meet with their legislators at the Capitol, the last chants of “What do we want? $550M! When do we want it? Now!” signaled not only a call to action, but also a reminder that investing in students is an investment in their future. 

Amid increasing instability at the federal level, including budget cuts and policy changes that affect school communities, stable and adequate state funding is as critical as ever. Illinois must act to ensure school districts are not left to grapple with funding gaps, which compromise student learning, well-being, and opportunity. Advocates carried out the message that the time is now into meetings with legislators, urging them to prioritize investments in FY27.  

In the coming weeks, we will continue sharing advocacy updates across the FIF facebook and X channels. We encourage you to share and repost or send a letter urging the Illinois House and Senate to prioritize K-12 education funding. Soon, our advocacy efforts will shift focus on engaging the budgeteers. We also encourage you to share these resources with your networks. Collective advocacy is important in ensuring Illinois continues moving toward fully funded schools.  

K-12 Funding Advocacy Day is a reminder of why school funding matters to our Illinois students, educators, and school communities. Together, we will continue the work so that every Illinois student has access to the opportunities and supports they deserve to thrive, regardless of their zip code.