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Education

An investment in our children's education is an investment in our country's future. The importance of providing our children the best possible education cannot be overstated, especially as so many Americans battle economic hardship. That’s why I have made modernizing and improving our school system a top priority during my time in Congress.

In one of my first acts as a member of Congress, I helped to pass the Education, Jobs, and Medicaid Assistance Act, which provided $80 million to help close its budget gap, retain teachers and support jobs. As a result, Illinois schools received $415 million in total aid. Shortly after, I was proud to support the bipartisan reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which fixes the broken “No Child Left Behind” law and provides vital federal funding to states and local school districts to help improve K-12 education around the country. Included in the final bill was my bipartisan amendment to prevent the removal of important standards for classroom paraprofessionals and ensure that our students are being taught by qualified individuals. 

The COVID pandemic placed a significant toll on our nation’s students and educators. In response, I introduced the Global Learning Loss Assessment Act to identify the scope of education loss as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked to increase funding for Preschool Development Grants, Head Start, and other education programs. I have supported policies that would make it easier for students to attend college by fighting for an extension of the Perkins Loan Program, which offers low-interest federal loans for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Finally, as founder and co-chair of the bipartisan International Basic Education Caucus, I have worked to increase funding for international basic education programs and boost understanding of global education challenges.

I was also proud to support President Biden’s plan to address our national student debt crisis, which will provide necessary relief to thousands of constituents in my district. As someone who worked his way through both undergraduate and graduate degrees, the value of an affordable college education cannot be understated. For that reason, I have continuously advocated for student borrower assistance, as well as ways to make higher education more affordable.

Affordable and accessible education is one of the most important issues facing our country. I will continue fighting in Congress to develop innovative and pragmatic policies that support our teachers and ensure all children have fair and equal access to high-quality education.