FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2025
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Degrees of Change Advocacy Day Emphasizes Importance of Young Adult Voices
(Springfield, IL) – Last week, Young Invincibles and The Coalition for Transforming Higher Education (CTHE) hosted Degrees of Change, a higher education advocacy day. Over 100 advocates, students, young adults, college faculty, and administrators traveled from across Illinois to meet at the State Capitol urging for higher education funding and reform.
Degrees of Change Advocacy Day attendees then spent their afternoon attending meetings and talking with legislators across the Capitol, uplifting legislative higher education policies and budget asks. Students, legislative leaders, and advocates took center stage to call for passing SB13 and HB1581, which would establish a funding formula to properly and adequately fund our four-year public colleges. Colleges across the state are going underfunded, impacting their ability to make college affordable and not being able to provide the full services they should to meet the needs of students on their campuses to graduate successfully.
In addition to the funding formula, advocates discussed increasing funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) by investing $73 millions additional dollars to increase affordability for college to low income students, fully funding the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act at $23.5 million, an increase from previous allocation of 13.2 million, and expanding SNAP Employment and Training to college students enrolled in public colleges in Illinois by passing SB1298 and HB2750.
In response, Jorge Arteaga, Midwest Advocacy Manager at Young Invincibles said:
“Higher education is a gateway to success and economic opportunity. We must invest in our higher education system to allow affordable and equitable access to future success for young Illinoisians. Young adults are the drivers of change in Illinois, and it is imperative to uplift and prioritize the voices of young adults, advocates, and students, especially on issues that impact them, such as mental health resources on campus and SNAP expansion. Degrees of Change Advocacy Day was an opportunity for elected officials to hear young adults’ stories and see the direct effect legislation will have on the lives of young Illinoisians. Watching advocates meet with elected officials and talk with other passionate young people about their desire to make positive changes in Illinois was inspiring. It reaffirms the dedication we already knew young people have to make a difference.”
In response, Evelyn Aguayo, Illinois Young Advocate said:
“Young adult advocacy is crucial because we are the next generation of leaders, and the choices made today will shape the world we inherit. If policies affect our education, opportunities, and future, then we deserve a seat at the table when those decisions are being made. Our perspectives are valuable, and engaging with young people leads to more informed, effective policies that truly serve the needs of the people. Having the opportunity to meet with State Representatives Yolanda Morris and Aaron Ortiz—leaders I have built a strong professional relationship with, made a huge difference. Our conversations about the importance of higher education were not only productive but also validating. Knowing that lawmakers were listening and acknowledging our concerns was refreshing and reinforced the power of advocacy.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org