FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2025
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Young Invincibles and Gov. Pritzker Stand Up for Education, Students, Illinois
(Chicago, IL) – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and Young Invincibles are holding a press conference and rally to champion education, support Illinois students burdened by debt, and directly address national challenges facing higher education.
Illinois continues to be a national leader in higher education. Governor Pritzker has demonstrated his strong commitment to students through ongoing investments in vital programs such as the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (MHEACA). As the nation faces challenges to its higher education systems, it is essential for Illinois to underscore the importance of access to education.
Governor Pritzker, Young Invincibles, and Illinois students will share their concerns on the state of education and call on the state to stand up for our students, for education, and for the future of Illinois.
The event will be held at the University of Illinois Chicago at 2:30 pm.
Erick Deshaun Dorris, Midwest Regional Director at Young Invincibles said:
“Young people have been told their whole lives to pursue the American Dream and that getting a degree was the best path for the future – they followed that advice and are now being crushed by it. The administration’s attacks on student debt relief, higher education funding, access, and opportunity will harm students and borrowers and inevitably make education less affordable. Education is a gateway to economic opportunity and future success, yet the very foundation of that gateway is being eroded, betraying the promises made to these young people.”
Governor JB Pritzker said:
“The dream of an affordable, accessible education as a pathway to a better life – one that was already out of reach for too many – is under attack by the Trump administration. Student borrowers were made promises that are being rescinded. Education cannot just be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. When we open up pathways to education for all, it makes our communities stronger, and we all do better.”
Subria Whitaker, borrower from Chicago said:
“After attending both graduate school and law school in Illinois, I have well over $260,000 in student debt. Since I have yet to finish my law degree, I have not been able to make a return on my investment, let alone a single payment toward my loans. Garnishing the little wages that I do have and plummeting my credit score because of this, I may never be able to get back on track financially to live a life that will allow me to pay anyone anything.”
Andrea Acosta, student at Trinity Christian College said:
“The only reason I could afford college was because my tuition is largely covered by my mom’s job working at my school. However, when we could not fund the rest of my college, I had to take out a couple of loans. Unlike a lot of my peers, being from an immigrant family, my parents didn’t know you were supposed to save for your child’s college. I’m worried because I know I have many years of schooling left, and I might be drowning in debt by the end of it.”
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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