Education Policy
Illinois Education Policy 2026
K-12 rankings, teacher salaries, school choice, curriculum battles, and how education shapes the 2026 political landscape in Illinois.
#20
K-12 National Rank
#7
Teacher Salary Rank
87%
Graduation Rate
Choice: No
School Choice Program
Key Education Policies
| School Choice (Vouchers/ESAs) | No |
| Curriculum Restrictions (CRT/Gender) | No |
| Graduation Rate | 87% |
| Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Stance | Supported |
Education System Overview
Illinois has strong higher education (University of Illinois, Northwestern) and has made K-12 funding more equitable through the Evidence-Based Funding Formula (2017). Chicago Public Schools are massive and complex. The state has teacher union strength.
2026 Political Impact
Illinois education politics center on Chicago. CTU (Chicago Teachers Union) is politically powerful. School funding equity — urban vs. suburban gaps — is a persistent issue. Democrats champion public education investment.