District 201 educators, faculty, and staff unite to raise awareness about the importance of fully funding Illinois schools.

In January and February, BFT Local 434 members joined educators, school employees, and community advocates across Illinois in standing together for a shared message: our students and communities deserve fully funded schools.

Through conversations, advocacy, and collective action, Local 434 members worked to raise awareness about the impact of Illinois' education funding challenges. District 201 alone is still owed $23 million in promised funding—resources that would provide more opportunities, support, and stability for students and educators.

Members highlighted the need for sustainable revenue solutions that invest in the foundations of strong communities, including public education, public services, and the workers who make them possible. Fully funding schools means greater access to resources, stronger support systems for students, and the ability to provide the quality education every child deserves.

This work is about more than funding numbers—it is about people. It is about ensuring students have what they need to succeed, educators have the support to do their jobs, and communities have the resources to thrive.

Thank you to the BFT Local 434 members who continue to show up, speak out, and stand together in support of public education. Through solidarity and collective action, we continue advocating for the investments our students, schools, and communities deserve.