After-School Funding Crisis — Please help today!
Dear Friends,
Since last year, CAPE has been one of many after-school program providers across the state of Illinois fighting to maintain funding. In 2023, the Illinois State Board of Education informed us (and many other non-profits and schools) that grants for certain schools would be expiring. Since then, we’ve swung into action on behalf of the 27,000 students state-wide who are impacted by this action. We have shared our progress with you along the way, and in June 2024, the Illinois Legislature voted to provide $50,000,000 in funds to continue to support these valuable programs. Success!
Or so we thought. Not so fast. It’s complicated.
The Governor and Illinois Legislature, working with the Illinois State Board of Education, still must decide exactly how the funds will be spent. We need this to be a top priority for leaders — because students are losing valuable time in the classroom without these programs.
What does this mean to CAPE? Due to the funding cuts, in September 2024, CAPE was forced to close after-school programs at 9 schools impacting about 1,200 students — 5 schools in Chicago and 4 schools in West Chicago, IL. A total reduction in funding of $1,380,000.
Public outcry is growing, and with increased attention — CAPE was featured in this article published in the Chicago Tribune yesterday:
WTTW also covered the issue by featuring other program partners:
What can you do?
1) Write your legislator today! Click here to send a message to your legislators — the site provides a template letter as well as phone and email contact information.
2) Share information about this issue on your social media and tag @capechicago. You can share the media links above or a link to CAPE’s website. The more eyes on this issue the better! Be sure to follow CAPE’s social media channels as well.
3) Consider a donation to CAPE to help us replace the funding we’ve lost. CAPE has been able to replace only a fraction of the funds thus far — we rely on the generosity of many individuals, foundations, and corporations to support our programs. We need your support now more than ever.
4) Please reach out to me to share any ideas you have or ask any questions about this complicated issue impacting so many students and families.
Thank you for everything that you do for CAPE!
Amy Rasmussen
Executive Director
Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education
