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Illinois House Passes Bill to Stop Firing State Workers Over Student Loan Defaults

Apr 17, 2026

A new measure aimed at protecting financially struggling workers has cleared the Illinois House, as lawmakers move to end a decades-old policy that allows state employees to be terminated for defaulting on student loans. The legislation, introduced by La Shawn K. Ford, seeks to repeal provisions tied to the Education Loan Default Act that critics…
Chicago’s Immigration Enforcement Surge Caused Thousands of Student Absences, New Report Warns

Mar 8, 2026

Chicago, IL – March 6, 2026 – A new report by Kids First Chicago and the Coalition for Authentic Community Engagement reveals that federal immigration enforcement actions in fall 2025 triggered a sharp drop in school attendance, with thousands of students—particularly English Learners—missing class due to fear and safety concerns. Titled Protecting Student Learning in…

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