{"id":1416,"date":"2022-12-01T18:12:02","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T18:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stand.org\/illinois\/?page_id=1416"},"modified":"2023-02-22T20:36:03","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T20:36:03","slug":"our-stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stand.org\/illinois\/our-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our Stories<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2026 General Elections Endorsements<\/a><\/h3>
\n \n<\/svg>\nSep 11, 2026<\/span>\n \n<\/svg>\n0<\/span>\n \n \n<\/svg>\n2 min read<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\"2026<\/a><\/div><\/div>
Stand for Children IL PAC, a bipartisan state political action committee, released its endorsements for the\u00a02026 Illinois legislative General Elections.<\/div>
Read More\n \n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Flipping the Script: Making Scholarships Work for Public School Kids<\/a><\/h3>
\n \n<\/svg>\nSep 10, 2026<\/span>\n \n<\/svg>\n0<\/span>\n \n \n<\/svg>\n2 min read<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\"Flipping<\/a><\/div><\/div>
In 2027, a federal tax credit will take effect, allowing taxpayers across the U.S., including Illinois, to claim a tax credit of up to $1,700 for donating to student funding. IL taxpayers could have the potential to redirect up to $6 billion of their federal taxes from the IRS to student funding. But Illinois students will only be able to access those resources if the state \u201copts in\u201d to the program. The decision to participate rests with Governor Pritzker.<\/div>
Read More\n \n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The NewsSTAND: August 2026<\/a><\/h3>
\n \n<\/svg>\nAug 24, 2026<\/span>\n \n<\/svg>\n0<\/span>\n \n \n<\/svg>\n1 min read<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\"The<\/a><\/div><\/div>
August 2026 wrap up of the top issues, successes, and updates about Illinois education and children.\n<\/div>
Read More\n \n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Congratulations, Fellows!<\/a><\/h3>
\n \n<\/svg>\nAug 17, 2026<\/span>\n \n<\/svg>\n0<\/span>\n \n \n<\/svg>\n7 min read<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\"Congratulations,<\/a><\/div><\/div>
Earlier this summer, we began a fellowship for high school students to explore and learn about the impact of having access to career exploration programs in high school. Join us in congratulating our summer fellowship graduates!<\/div>
Read More\n \n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Working Group Values Statement<\/a><\/h3>
\n \n<\/svg>\nAug 10, 2026<\/span>\n \n<\/svg>\n2<\/span>\n \n \n<\/svg>\n3 min read<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\"pig<\/a><\/div><\/div>
Given that 90% of students attend public schools, statewide education advocates have a responsibility to try to design creative, innovative, values-based approaches to turn these funds into positive educational outcomes.<\/div>
Read More\n \n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Do high schoolers feel prepared for life after graduation?<\/a><\/h3>
\n \n<\/svg>\nJul 6, 2026<\/span>\n \n<\/svg>\n0<\/span>\n \n \n<\/svg>\n3 min read<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\"Do<\/a><\/div><\/div>
On average, 60% of Illinois high school graduates do not enroll in a 4-year university within 12 months of graduation at a traditional 4-year institution. Most graduates in Illinois go directly into the workforce, enroll in community college, attend trade schools, or pursue other career alternatives.<\/div>
Read More\n \n<\/svg>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>