Our Stories

Download this column as a PDF Me too. Let me walk you through my journey to better understand this complicated topic, featuring a heavy dose of honesty, the Dunning-Kruger Effect, and a debt of gratitude to the many kind souls I’ve met along the ride who pour their hearts into literacy work every day. This […]

The past few years have exposed a gap between the haves and the have-nots when it comes to issues like quality education, economic opportunity, and equity. State and local elections have a profound impact on these issues and so much more. That’s why voting is one of the most important ways to elevate your voice […]

Today is the day. The deadline to apply for the City of Chicago program that will give 5,000 qualified residents $500 per month for a year is today, Friday, May 13 at 11:59pm. Apply now if you haven’t already. There are some eligibility requirements for people looking to participate. Those requirements are: You reside in the City of Chicago AND […]

This is Teacher Appreciation Week, and an important reminder that in these times of “culture wars” to consider what more we can do to support educators. May I suggest that you read the recent op-ed co-authored by Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, and Stand’s Executive Officer Jonah Edelman. In this piece, published by […]

$500 a month with no strings attached might sound too good to be true. In this case, it isn’t. To help Chicago residents recover from the pandemic’s economic impact, the City is giving 5,000 families $500 per month for 12 months, with no limitations on how the money can be spent. Chicago families will decide how […]

Governor Pritzker signed the budget this week, securing another $350 million for Evidence-Based Funding! Legislators adjourned early in the morning just under two weeks ago, bringing the spring 2022 legislative session to a close. Here’s a quick wrap-up on our priority issues and some next steps. Expanding Access to Dual Credit: Both the Illinois House and […]