Department of Education chaos leaves uncertainty in Illinois
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Recent drastic cuts to the Department of Education could have far-reaching effects on local school funding and services for vulnerable students, officials say.
Why it matters: The city and state are struggling with education budgets at current levels. Federal funding disruptions and reduced services for students with special needs could worsen the situation.
Catch up quick: Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Tuesday announced 2,183 DOE staff cuts (to about half the department) as a first step in President Trump's plans to shut down the agency — a move that would require an act of Congress.
- The agency said it will continue to deliver on statutory programs, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants and Title I funds for low-income students and those with disabilities, but it's unclear how it will do so with half the staff.
- On Thursday, a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general — including Illinois' AG — sued the Trump administration over its plan to dismantle the agency, saying the recent mass layoffs were illegal and unconstitutional.
State of play: Illinois expects to receive $3.56 billion in federal education funds this year, but Wednesday the state learned the DOE is closing the office that facilitates the funding.
- This leaves Illinois with "no guidance on how to ensure the state continues receiving payments for programs," State Board of Education spokesperson Lindsay Record tells Axios, adding that the board is "deeply concerned about the potential implications."
Zoom in: Federal Title I money helps hundreds of thousands of students in 843 Illinois districts that qualify for it this year.
- At least 50 departing staffers worked in Chicago's DOE bureau, many in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which investigates discrimination complaints and was shut down this week, the Sun-Times reports.
- "This will strip students of equitable education, place our most vulnerable at great risk and set back educational success that for many will last their lifetimes," Katie Dullum, an OCR deputy director who resigned last Friday, told ProPublica.
What they're saying: "To better serve American students and families, changes are being made as to how OCR will conduct its operations," Madi Biedermann of the DOE told Axios without explaining how Chicagoans can access local staffers in the meantime.
- "We are confident that the dedicated staff of OCR will deliver on its statutory responsibilities."
- In a statement this week, McMahon said the mass layoff "reflects our commitment to efficiency, accountability and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers."
The other side: Mayor Brandon Johnson told Axios he sees the cuts as evidence that "we have an administration that does not believe in public education."
What's next: ISBE spokesperson Record says the agency will be reaching out to senior DOE officials "to help give families and students information they deserve."