Illinois Action for Children’s Response to Recent Federal Actions and their Impact on Children and Families

Illinois Action for Children’s Response to Recent Federal Actions and their Impact on Children and Families

The recent actions taken by the federal government— from the dismantling of the Department of Education (DoED), to illegal deportations, funding cuts, and layoffs at core human services programs such as Head Start— aim to create an atmosphere of confusion and fear. This only obscures one of the real goals of these efforts: to systematically erode the civil rights enshrined in our country’s legal system and the protections we value.  

Since its founding in 1969, Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) has fought for children and families. We have focused on creating a future where every child receives the nurture and care they deserve. Now, the actions of the current administration have put that future at risk for us all.  

Federal Actions that Threaten Our Civil Rights, Health, and Well-being

Since January, our federal government has taken a number of actions that threaten our rights and well-being:  

• The enactment of immigration policies that create fear and chaos, some of which have been enforced unconstitutionally  
• Ill-conceived mass firings of government employees, including layoffs at the Office of Civil Rights at the DoED and the Department of Homeland Security  
• The shuttering of various departments and offices, and the closure of half of the regional offices that oversee Head Start
• Cuts to long-standing programs that provide for the health, education, and well-being of children and families in the United States and abroad

Not only do these actions rip away essential services from people who rely on them, in some cases, they violate constitutional rights that protect each of us—rights that are especially vital for those who have historically been or are currently disenfranchised due to their race, immigration status, disability, or gender.  

The Threat Posed by the Closure of the DoED 

The March 20 executive order directing the Secretary of Education to take “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the states,” is evidence of this administration’s intent to erode our civil rights. 

While only Congress can defund the DoEd, the current administration has announced its plan to take away the right to a free and appropriate public education for all children with disabilities by moving the administration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) out of the department.  

The administration also speaks of “returning education authority to the states.” While, in fact, states already have primary authority over education, the federal government plays an integral role in protecting student rights, funding schools in low-income or under-resourced areas, and helping students pay for college. These essential functions help ensure that all children in this country can access a high-quality education. 

The Significance of this Moment, and Where We Go from Here

By decimating human services, eroding civil rights protections, and authorizing illegal arrests and deportations, the actions of this federal administration lay the groundwork for legalized discrimination and segregation in this country, 61 years after the Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 

This week, Senator Cory Booker made history in the Senate with a gripping speech that lasted for 25 hours and four minutes, modeling for us true strength and endurance. The  speech, which protested the federal administration’s actions over the past 100 days, was even more awe inspiring because it broke a record that was set when Senator Strom Thurmond tried to prevent the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1957. Senator Booker reminds us that we face a moral decision, and we must challenge our lawmakers to stop this authoritarian takeover of our nation. 

With great conviction, Senator Booker used his platform as a legislator to stand up for justice. Likewise, more than 55 years ago, IAFC’s founder Sylvia Cotton and a group of engaged community members united to fight for better, more affordable child care options for working families—and they succeeded in changing the system. Their examples remind us to never underestimate the power of our own voices and influence.  

IAFC is committed to using our voice to fight for children and families, and we invite you to join us.