Helping Every Student in IL‑01 Thrive

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Every child in Illinois’ 1st Congressional District deserves a great education, safe schools, and a real path to college, career, or entrepreneurship, no matter their ZIP code.

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Right now, too many of our students attend under‑resourced schools, face trauma and instability at home, and graduate without a clear plan for what comes next. That is not a failure of our kids. It is a failure of our systems and our priorities.

As your Congressman, I will fight to make sure every student in IL‑01 has what they need to thrive.

Our 5‑Year Goal: Real, Measurable Progress

Working with local schools, districts, and community partners, I will fight to achieve three clear, obtainable goals within 5 years:

1. Increase high school graduation rates by at least 10 percentage points in the lowest‑performing schools in IL‑01.

2. Cut chronic absenteeism by 25% across partner schools in the district.

3. Ensure every high school in IL‑01 offers at least one strong pathway to:

   • Dual‑credit or AP courses,

   • Career and Technical Education (CTE), or

   • Industry‑recognized certifications.

These are realistic goals. They can be measured with existing data. And they will change lives.

1. Fair and Adequate Funding for Our Schools

Students in IL‑01 should not get less simply because they live in a lower‑income neighborhood.

I will:

• Strengthen and expand Title I funding so high‑poverty schools receive more federal support.

• Fight for federal grants to repair and modernize school buildings, especially where facilities are unsafe, outdated, or lack proper technology.

• Tie increased federal investments to clear equity plans that:

  • Reduce class sizes in early grades,

  • Expand tutoring and academic support, and

  • Improve outcomes for Black, Brown, low‑income, and special education students.

2. Mental Health, Safety, and Whole Child Support

Kids cannot learn if they are hungry, traumatized, or scared.

I will:

• Increase school‑based mental health services by expanding federal funding for counselors, social workers, and psychologists.

• Promote trauma‑informed practices and restorative justice, so we address root causes instead of pushing students out of school.

• Protect and expand free school meals in high‑poverty schools and end practices that shame students over meal debt.

• Invest in safe, welcoming school environments, including:

  • Violence prevention and conflict mediation programs,

  • After‑school and summer programs that keep students safe and engaged.

3. Strong Teaching and Support for Educators

We cannot have strong schools without strong, supported teachers.

I will:

• Support higher pay and loan relief for educators in high‑need schools, including those in IL‑01.

• Invest in teacher training and retention, funding:

  • Mentoring for new teachers,

  • “Grow‑your‑own” programs that help local residents become teachers, especially in shortage areas like STEM and special education.

• Protect teachers’ ability to teach honest history and critical thinking, opposing efforts to censor curriculum that tells the truth about race, inequality, and American history.

4. College, Career, and Real‑World Readiness

A diploma is not enough. Every student should graduate with a plan and a path.

I will:

• Expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in IL‑01 high schools and community colleges, focused on real local jobs in:

  • Healthcare

  • Construction and the trades

  • Green energy

  • Transportation and logistics

  • Information technology and advanced manufacturing

• Support dual‑credit and early college programs, so students can earn college credits or industry certifications before graduation—with tuition, books, and fees covered for low‑income students.

• Strengthen apprenticeships and paid internships, incentivizing local employers to offer paid, structured opportunities for IL‑01 students.

• Make college more affordable by:

  • Increasing Pell Grants,

  • Lowering interest rates on federal student loans, and

  • Supporting targeted debt relief for low‑income borrowers and public‑service workers.

5. Community and Family Partnership

Schools cannot do this work alone. Families and communities must be at the table.

I will:

• Create an IL‑01 Education & Youth Advisory Council that includes students, parents, teachers, principals, youth organizers, and community leaders to guide priorities and monitor progress.

• Support community school models that bring health care, mental health services, after‑school programs, and family supports into school buildings—especially in neighborhoods facing high poverty, violence, or homelessness.

• Push for transparent data and accountability, with clear public reporting on:

  • Graduation rates,

  • Chronic absenteeism,

  • Access to advanced courses and CTE,

  • Discipline disparities.
    We will use this data to target support—not punishment—to struggling schools.

How We Get There: Step‑by‑Step

First 100 Days in Congress:

• Introduce or co‑sponsor a “Thriving Students in High‑Need Districts Act” to:

  • Increase Title I funding,

  • Expand school‑based mental health services,

  • Boost funding for CTE and dual‑credit programs.

• Convene an IL‑01 Education Roundtable with superintendents, principals, teachers, students, and parents.

• Identify 10–15 partner schools across the district to pilot intensive supports focused on attendance, graduation, and college/career readiness.

Years 1–2:

• Secure federal grants for:

  • Mental health staff,

  • CTE expansion,

  • Facility improvements in the most under‑resourced schools.

• Launch or expand:

  • After‑school tutoring,

  • Summer learning programs,

  • Paid youth internships and apprenticeships.

Years 3–5:

• Track progress on graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, and access to advanced courses and CTE.

• Scale successful programs from the initial partner schools to more schools across IL‑01.

• Publicly report progress toward:

  • A 10‑point increase in graduation rates in the lowest‑performing schools, and

  • A 25% reduction in chronic absenteeism.

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What This Means for Our Kids and Communities

This plan is about more than test scores. It is about:

• Students who feel safe, supported, and seen.

• Families who know their children have real opportunities.

• Neighborhoods strengthened by educated, hopeful young people.

Our kids are brilliant. When we give them the tools, support, and opportunities they deserve, they will change this district, and this country, for the better.

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I am running for Congress to make sure every student in Illinois’ 1st District has a real chance to thrive. If you share that vision, I’m asking you to stand with me and help us build the future our children deserve.