Pritzker advocates for students, public education funding in Washington, D.C.

Community Consolidated School District 21 School Board President Phil Pritzker was one of 43 Board of Education members and public education advocates from Illinois to participate in the recent Advocacy Institute hosted by the National School Board Association. The delegation learned about current issues facing public education and advocated for federal support of public schools and students.

The Illinois delegation, which was the largest state delegation participating in the Advocacy Institute, met with Congressmen Schneider, Hultgren, Kelly, Bost, Krishnamoorthi, Kinzinger, and LaHood, and Senators Duckworth and Durbin. Among many topics, the attendees focused advocacy efforts this year on maintaining or increasing Title I and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) grant funding, and reinstating the net neutrality rules which protect fair pricing and availability of educational technology.

"It is critically important for our elected officials to know the impact their decisions have on local school districts and public education throughout the state and nation," Pritzker said. "Fully funding public education gives teachers and schools the resources needed to transform the future for our students."

In addition to receiving briefings on key federal education topics, Advocacy Institute attendees also heard from Senator John Boozman, who serves on the Committee on Appropriations, and Senator Deb Fischer, who serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Cokie Roberts also served as a keynote speaker.

Pritzker is the Immediate Past President of the Illinois Association of School Boards and has served the CCSD21 community as a school board member since 1989.