Stuart Voices Support for Teachers Unions’ Legal Action Against Department of Education

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.— State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, released the following statement supporting a coalition of teachers unions and their lawsuit against the Department of Education for a controversial ‘professional degree’ rule change, which excludes a range of graduate programs from federal student loan opportunities:

“Despite the invaluable role that learning plays in our children’s lives, schools are facing federal funding cuts, public education infrastructure is being dismantled, and now, Department of Education policy changes threaten to saddle future teachers with greater student debt. This disastrous and insulting reversal will undoubtedly discourage many talented people from going into education, even as communities across Illinois and this country deal with teacher shortages.

“If that’s not enough, the same rejection of financial aid applies to nurses, social workers, public health experts and many other undervalued professionals, further undermining opportunities for working- and middle-class students to excel.

“I’ve fought to pass legislation supporting education in Illinois for the same reason I’m putting my full support behind this legal action. Education builds a better future, not just for students learning new skills, but for every person in our community who benefits from the expertise of another generation of talented professionals.”