Robin Steans

Illinois is leading the way in AP growth, ranking 2nd in the nation for the 10-year increase in graduates taking AP exams. With a record 59,773 students participating in 2025, more Illinois students than ever are stepping into college-level coursework!

📍 Springfield bound! Advocacy Day is just weeks away. This is your chance to meet with legislators and advocate for smart, equitable school funding. Save your spot: hubs.la/Q043p8Mm0 #FundTheFormula

We agree with State Rep. Norma Hernandez and Jennifer Juárez (@latinopolicy) that the future of our state depends on ensuring every student who aspires to earn a degree has a real opportunity to do so. The Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act (SB13/HB1581) can help #TransformILHigherEd and make that opportunity possible. hubs.la/Q046gpwf0

(1/4) What a success! At yesterday’s press conference for Adequate & Equitable Public University Funding (SB13/HB1581), students, lawmakers, university leaders and other supporters called on the state to place Illinois students and their unique needs at the center of how it funds our public 4-year institutions. 🎓💪#transformILHigherEd #publicuniversities

HS Seniors: Now is the time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, if you haven’t already. The FAFSA opens doors to federal, state, and some institutional financial aid. If you are planning on attending college or trade school between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, file your 2026-27 FAFSA form, at FAFSA.gov today. If you need help completing your financial aid application, attend one of our free Financial Aid Application Completion Workshops. studentportal.isac.org/Events. Can't attend an event? Book a free virtual appointment with an ISAC FAFSA expert at isac.org/booking. #FAFSAhelp #moneyforcollege #studentaid

Illinois students can’t wait. With the FY27 Budget Address on February 18, now is the moment to push for fair and stable school funding. Send a letter urging $450M for EBF and $100M for MCATs. Speak up today: hubs.la/Q042h0b30

📣 Illinoisans: Your Education Story Matters We’re collecting personal stories from people across Illinois about how federal education policies have shaped your or your family’s access to and experience in education — from early childhood programs through college and beyond. Whether it’s Head Start, IDEA, Title I, Pell Grants, FAFSA, school nutrition programs, or other federal initiatives — we want to hear how these policies have impacted real lives, not just statistics. ✅ You can share anonymously ✅ All experiences welcome — positive, challenging, or somewhere in between Share your story here: hubs.la/Q042hypt0 Your voice can help illuminate the real impact of federal education policy in Illinois. Thank you for contributing to this important conversation! #education #policy #storiesofimpact

Illinois students are counting on us—and on you, @GovPritzker. Let’s fund their futures with $550M for schools in FY27. Investments in education matter. #FundTheFormula

Let’s go!!!!!!

Programs across Illinois are struggling to keep up with rising costs and growing demand. We’re calling on @GovPritzker to champion investments for ECE programs in FY27. Children and communities depend on it. #IL4ChildCare #earlychildhood

@davidaxelrod @realDonaldTrump @nytimes My feelings exactly. This shouldn’t be about party loyalty, but about our values. Who are we? That is the question.

This is so sick--so vile--that it's hard to know where to begin. But, as so often w/@realDonaldTrump, the question now is, who are WE? Do we lock arms--not as Rs & Ds but Americans--and condemn this without qualification? Or are we lost. nytimes.com/live/2026/02/0… via @NYTimes

Coming 🔜 The 2026 Higher Education Advocacy Day Join PCC, our partner organizations, and hundreds of advocates in Springfield to tell our legislators the time is NOW to adequately and properly invest in #highereducation in Illinois! 🔗 bit.ly/26HigherEdAdvo…

EBF + MCATs = equity and stability. Without both, districts struggle to plan, hire, and support students. Let’s get it right this year, @GovPritzker. $550M for schools in FY27. #FundTheFormula

Imagine what 15,200 additional graduates per year could bring to IL. The path to equitable, higher ed funding is clear. @GovPritzker, be bold and support #SB13/HB1581. It’s time Illinois invests in higher education as the public good we know it is.

Breaking on MS NOW: Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved in charging Don Lemon and the other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests. The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges, per @CarolLeonnig.

BREAKING: Philadelphia just drew a hard line on ICE. They have INTRODUCED legislation to rein in ICE. - Agents can’t wear masks - Must show ID - Judicial warrants only - Assault a bystander → arrested This is what accountability looks like. This isn’t law yet, but it’s the blueprint. Pass it. Enforce it. Take it nationwide.

2/2 Illinois passing SB13/HB1581 equitable formula funding bill would be a game changer for students in Illinois. #stoptheholdup #releasethe2percent #transformILHigherEd

1/2 As decades of state disinvestment continue to strain Illinois’ public universities, Megan Fox, a senior at @EIU, shares what underfunding looks like on campus, with classmates wondering if they’ll return next semester, uncertainty around loans, and more: advanceillinois.org/news-media/blo…

Students bear a heavy burden. @GovPritzker without an adequate, equitable investment in higher ed, Illinois is pricing out its students. Support #SB13/HB1581 and show Illinois students what’s possible with accessible higher ed #TransformILHigherEd

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life fighting for equity and justice. He taught us that even in the face of intimidation and discrimination, we must never stop working towards a better future – a lesson that feels especially relevant today. Change has never been easy. It takes persistence and determination, and requires all of us to speak out and stand up for what we believe in. As we honor Dr. King today, let’s draw strength from his example, and do our part to build on his legacy.