Avelar Sponsors Resolution, Calls for Protection of Important Will County Educational Programs from Federal Cuts
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Since important federal educational programs are at risk of cuts by the federal government, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, has sponsored a House Resolution calling to protect important support efforts for English-language learners in her district and across Illinois.
President Donald Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget eliminates funding for Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which supports programs to help English learners attain English proficiency and succeed academically.
Avelar said hundreds of Illinois school districts and charter schools have these programs that support educators in serving English learners. Illinois has more than 225,000 English learners (16% of all Illinois students), the majority of whom were born in the U.S. and are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. More than 15,000 educators use software to strengthen their English learner programs by determining student and program needs, strengthening instruction, and accessing asynchronous professional development.
The schools taking advantage of these programs in or near Avelar’s district include: Lockport Township High School District 205, Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C, Joliet Public School District 86, Joliet Township High School District 204, Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, Rockdale School District 84, and Troy Community Consolidated School District 30C.
Avelar’s resolution (House Resolution 459) says, “We call on President Donald Trump to stop the actions of the administration that are impacting or eliminating educational funding, educational supports, and educational services provided to English learner students, limited English proficient parents, and the educators that serve these students.”
The federal government should be “maintaining and providing for language access services for parents with limited English proficiency, and ensuring the educational rights of all students guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution,” Avelar’s resolution says.
The Equal Educational Opportunity Act (20 USC 1703) requires schools to take appropriate action to overcome language barriers so that English learners can participate in the educational programs offered by school districts and charter schools. Illinois Statute requires school districts to identify students who may be English learners, assess these students for English proficiency, and provide transitional bilingual programs when an attendance center has 20 or more students of the same language.
The resolution could be considered when the House resumes its session in October.
