CPS Budget Shortfalls Indicate Urgent Need for New Revenues
2/14/2008
A+ Illinois Calls on State Leaders to Fund Quality Initiatives
Education Advocates to Candidates: What Will You Do for Schools? 1/10/2008
A+ Illinois to hold public forums with candidates for Illinois General Assembly
Students to Candidates: What Will You Do for Our Schools? 1/10/2008
Students and education advocates to hold public forum with candidates for Illinois Senate District 5; House Districts 9 & 10
A+ Illinois Opposes Proposed State Budget 8/8/2007
Inadequate budget does not address core problems facing Illinois schools
Illinois Students Take Road Trip to Springfield and Elgin for School Funding
8/6/2007
Student leaders take message directly to Gov. Blagojevich
Ministers March for Schools at State Capitol, Meet with Gov. Blagojevich
8/6/2007
Faith Leaders urge governor and lawmakers to pass modest income tax increase for schools
Chicago Worshippers to Call State Leaders from the Church Pew 8/4/2007
During "Education Sunday," ministers will ask congregants to "lobby" by cell phone for school funding reform
A+ Illinois Supports Modest Income Tax Increase for Education
8/2/2007
Revenues would help to accomplish key goals of improving school funding and quality
"Billion Dollar Bake Sale" Highlights Real Cost of School Funding
7/19/2007
Over 500 organizations call on lawmakers to raise income tax for schools
A+ Illinois Denounces Stalemate on School Funding Reform 6/5/2007
Political gridlock sends legislators back to Springfield
Students Give State Leaders Failing Grades for School Funding Reform Efforts
5/30/2007
Action needed in last week of Illinois' legislative session
A "Burnham Plan" for School Reform in Illinois
5/21/2007
Proposed legislation to set new standards for education quality and fiscal accountability
Aurora Families to Rally for Statewide School Funding Reform 5/10/2007
Leaders on both sides of referendum debate call on elected officials for statewide solution
Faith, Football and Funding Reform
5/4/2007
Religious Leaders from across the state urge legislative action for school funding reform
Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor Endorses A+ Illinois Coalition
4/3/2007
Labor leaders to work for statewide school funding and quality reform
A+ Illinois Commends Governor's Focus on Schools and Pension Funding
3/7/2007
School funding reform coalition applauds movement towards increasing school funding and quality and improving the state's fiscal health; continues to advocate for property tax relief
A+ Illinois Ramps Up 2007 Legislative Campaign 2/26/2007
School quality, funding and tax reform coalition to release detailed policy platform and statewide field plan for winning comprehensive reform in 2007
A+ Illinois to Expand Community Organizing Campaign for School Funding Reform Statewide
2/26/2007
Illinois advocacy group will receive $600,000 to help reach more targeted counties
Mayor Daley and Chicago Pastors Join A+ Illinois to Demand Statewide School Funding Reform 2/13/2007
Faith, education and political leaders come together around reform efforts
A+ Illinois Hails New Education Bill as Important Step Toward Comprehensive Reform
2/8/2007
Statewide coalition supports concepts of Education and Fiscal Responsibility Act
A+ Illinois Welcomes New Leadership for Next Phase of School Funding Reform Campaign
12/14/2006
State's leading education funding advocate gears up for 2007 General Assembly session
Legislators Commit to Tackle School Funding and Quality, Related Budget Concerns in 2007 11/29/2006
Lawmakers form bipartisan "Education Caucus;" Demand updated school-funding recommendations
Community Leaders Issue Demands for School Funding and Quality Reforms 10/19/2006
Hundreds will gather to share concerns with gubernatorial candidates
Gubernatorial Candidates Don't Make the Grade on Education Proposals
8/31/2006
A+ Illinois Releases "Report Card" on Education Plans
A+ Illinois Commends Topinka for Key Education Ideas, Urges Sustainable Funding Source and Property Tax Relief 8/21/2006
Plans to Improve School Funding and Quality Move in the Right Direction
Lake County Congregations Demand School Funding & Quality Reform on "Education Sunday" 8/7/2006
Church Leaders and Students Call on State Leaders for Change
100 Chicago-Area Churches Demand that State Leaders Reform School Funding and Quality 7/18/2006
Congregations Call for Change During "Education Sunday" Service
CPS Property Tax Increase & Program Cuts Highlight Need for State Funding Reform
6/27/2006
Study Finds Gov's Lottery Proposal Shortchanges Schools by Over $480 million
Governor's Education Proposal Misses the Mark 5/24/2006
One-time revenue source and lack of property tax relief overshadow quality and accountability measures.
A+ Illinois Challenges Governor to Base His School-Funding Plan on Key Principles
5/19/2006
Plan must significantly boost investment in schools; provide meaningful property tax relief; promote accountability; and protect health, human, and public services
Chicago Students Give State Low Marks for School Quality, Innovation and Funding
4/20/2006
Chicago Students to Deliver Giant Report Card to Governor 4/12/2006
Rally at James R. Thompson Center on April 20 will highlight
how state is shortchanging Illinois students
The Shame of the Nation, featuring Jonathan Kozol 3/15/2006
Best-selling author Jonathan Kozol ("Savage Inequalities," "Shame of the Nation") joins nonprofit, business, government and education leaders at two events to discuss the improvement of public education in Illinois.
Near West Candidates, Voters to Discuss School Quality and Finance Reform at Upcoming A+ Illinois Forum in Oak Park
3/1/2006
Candidates representing Bellwood, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, Maywood, Oak Park, River Forest and Chicago's Austin neighborhood invited to attend
A+ Illinois calls on gubernatorial candidates to focus on issues, not "no tax" pledges 2/23/2006
Despite Governor's Claims, Illinois' School-Funding System Far from Fair, According to A+ Illinois Campaign 1/18/2006
This media release was issued following the governor's 2006 State of the State address.
A+ Illinois Hires New Organizers to Reach Out Statewide 12/13/2005
Downstate, Chicago-area organizers aim to mobilize thousands in support of school funding reform, property tax relief
Illinois Flunks in National Report Card: Largest Student Achievement Gaps in U.S.
11/8/2005
A+ Illinois analysis shows state's achievement gap mirrors its spending gap; Resources and reform of the school funding system are critical
Illinois Schools Need Increased Funding to Better Prepare Students for College and the Workforce
9/6/2005
Most high school seniors have not taken the courses required to attend state universities, as many school districts struggle to afford even basic class offerings
State leaders adopt short-sighted quick fix to state's school funding and revenue crisis
6/1/2005
FY06 budget fails to address comprehensive reform
EFAB to Announce New Per-Pupil Funding Recommendation at 11 a.m. April 4 in Chicago 4/5/2005
A+ Illinois Urges Governor to Implement New Funding Level
State Fails to Provide Adequate Funding,
Voters Must Make Tough Choices April 5
3/31/2005
A+ Illinois analysis finds high failure rate of school referenda, yet more districts putting them on the ballot than in recent years
A+ Illinois Identifies Key Requirements for EFAB's Upcoming Recommendation 3/16/2005
Education Funding Advisory Board to meet March 18
Governor's State of the State Address Downplays Illinois'
Education Funding, Quality Crisis
2/3/2005
The A+ Illinois campaign expressed concern over the inadequacy of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposals to improve education and the economic climate in Illinois, two of his key priorities outlined in his State of the State address today.
Educators, Community Leaders Call for Long-Term Solution to School Funding Crisis
1/21/2005
More than 200 gather in Lombard to mobilize for change in 2005
Democrats, Republicans Push School Funding Reform Solutions in New General Assembly Session
1/12/2005
A+ Illinois Urges Lawmakers to Resolve Crisis This Year
Response to 11/30/04 Daily Herald Editorial
"Lessons of failed school-funding bill" 12/14/2004
A+ Illinois campaign manager advocates for school funding reform and accountability
A+ Illinois, EFAB Members, and State School Officials Call on Governor to Set Education Funding Level by January Deadline 12/2/2004
Media release on Dec. 2, 2004 audio news conference
New Report: Illinois Remains Among Worst States in Shortchanging Poor Schools, Minority Students 10/7/2004
A+ campaign demands fairness in school-funding system
Legislative Leaders Join Students and Head "Back to School" in Chicago 9/28/2004
A+ Illinois, Sen. Miguel del Valle, Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, and
Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan participate in "Take a Legislator to School" event highlighting local struggles with statewide education funding problems
Legislative Leaders Join Students and Head "Back to School" in Will County 9/15/2004
A+ Illinois, school superintendents, and District 202 host Cross, Hassert and Petka at "Take a Legislator to School" event to highlight local struggles with statewide education funding problems
Legislative Leaders Join Students and Head "Back to School" in Round Lake 9/13/2004
A+ Illinois, Mayor Ila Bauer and District 116 host "Take a Legislator to School" event to highlight local struggles with statewide education funding problems
School-Funding and Quality Reform Campaign Launches Statewide Advertising Effort
9/8/2004
A+ Illinois demands long-term solutions to education crisis
Legislators: Let's Fix Education Funding During This School Year
8/24/2004
Media release from A+ Illinois
House Bill 750 Hearing
8/16/2004
Media release from A+ Illinois
Public statement regarding agreement on education funding level in state budget
7/28/2004
signed by Bindu Batchu, Campaign Manager A+ Illinois
Letter to the Editor, Constitution Newspaper, Clinton, Ill. 6/17/2004
Submitted by Kristina Valentine, a former schoolteacher and Clinton resident who currently works in children's health and human services
A+ Illinois Participates in Rockford Community Meeting on School Funding Reform 6/1/2004
Hosted by Rockford public schools' Board of Education
Parent Petition Drive Calls For Action 5/27/2004
Rally also planned on June 22, 2004
A+ Illinois Sponsors Community Forum on School Funding and Property Tax Reform 5/12/2004
Area legislators hear impassioned pleas from parents, teachers, community leaders
Fed Up Citizens Join A+ Illinois in Demanding State Action to Save Schools and Programs Vital to Children, Families, Communities 5/5/2004
At a community forum on Saturday — sponsored by A+ Illinois and co-hosted by the Metropolitan Alliance of Congregations (MAC) — local parents, teachers and other concerned citizens will raise their concerns with their Springfield representatives and demand some answers.
Testimony to the Senate Appropriations II Committee 4/22/2004
Submitted by A+ Illinois
A+ Illinois Shares its Goals & Positions with IASB Bulletin Readers 4/20/2004
Submission to IASB April 2004 School Board News Bulletin
Kankakee County unites for school funding reform 4/15/2004
More than 500 residents from throughout the county convened to meet with the governor's office in a school in Reddick facing possible closure due to a lack of funds.
Re: "Taxing Politics," Letter to the Editor from A+ Illinois 3/30/2004
Submitted to the Chicago Tribune
With a Majority of School Referenda Failing, Voters Demand More State Support of Schools 3/18/2004
Voters fail to pass majority of education referenda in Tuesday election
Many Illinois Children Missing Out on Critical Learning Supports, Report Says 3/17/2004
"Kids Count" stresses need to improve education, family supports
School Referenda Profiles -- UPDATED WITH ELECTION RESULTS 3/16/2004
Schools across Illinois are facing tough referendums.
Testimony to the House Elementary & Secondary Education Appropriations Committee 3/10/2004
Submitted by A+ Illinois on March 2, 2004
Testimony to the Senate Committee of the Whole on Senate Bill 3000 3/10/2004
Submitted by A+ Illinois on March 3, 2004
A+ Illinois Responds to Governor's Budget
2/25/2004
Calls for Comprehensive Solution to Public Education Crisis
Diverse Coalition Launches A+ Illinois, New Statewide Campaign for Comprehensive Education Funding and Quality Reform 2/10/2004
Results of new statewide poll show 66 percent of voters support increased funding for education.
A+ Illinois Media Kit
A collection of materials exploring education and tax policy reform issues and explaining what A+ Illinois hopes to achieve.