Pritzker joins Illinois delegation to advocate for students in Washington, D.C.

Community Consolidated School District 21 School Board President Phil Pritzker ended January in Washington, D.C. with a delegation of school board members and administrators from across Illinois. The 38-member group participated in the Advocacy Institute hosted by the National School Board Association, where they learned about current issues facing public education and advocated for federal support of public schools and students.

The Illinois delegation met with Senators Duckworth and Durbin, Congressmen LaHood, Schakowsky, Schneider, Shimkus, and Underwood, and staff from Congresswoman Kelly's office. Advocacy efforts this year centered on funding, including the importance of maintaining or increasing funding for Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

"At every level, it is critical for our elected officials to do all they can to support our students and teachers," Pritzker said. "The Advocacy Institute gives us the opportunity to learn about education developments at the federal level, and share the impact federal decisions have on our schools and community. We urge Congress to prioritize our students and the funding that will support them now and in the future."

In addition to receiving briefings on key federal topics and their impact on education, like the reauthorization of IDEA, school safety, the 2020 Census, and student data privacy, Advocacy Institute attendees also heard from Secretary of Education Betsy Devos and several members of Congress. Presidential historian Jon Meacham 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.