FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
February 11, 2026

CONTACT: 
Graciela González
Director of Communications
[email protected]
312-728-4291

CHICAGO — Today, ahead of Governor JB Pritzker’s FY27 proposed budget and State of the State address, the Latino Policy Forum published its annual Springfield Agenda for 2026. The agenda outlines the budgetary, policy, and administrative priorities that the Forum will advocate for this year in education, immigration, and housing for Latinos in Illinois. This year’s agenda also includes two new sections for civic and revenue generating initiatives.  

Many of the budgetary and policy items in the agenda are a direct response to some of the worst impacts of H.R. 1, the highly controversial $4 trillion budget reconciliation package that Congress passed in 2025. That budget made dramatic cuts to critical support for social programs and education to fund the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive, violent, unlawful, and sometimes deadly immigration enforcement campaign. 

“Last year showed us that even in the face of incredible challenges, we can accomplish great things when we are united,” said Latino Policy Forum President and CEO, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero. “Our community cannot weather the chaos and cruelty of the Trump administration alone. In 2026, we will advocate for funding and policies that uplift working families, students, immigrants, and our values of fairness and justice. Momentum is on our side, and our community is counting on us, and Illinois, to take bold action for them.” 

The Forum’s 2026 Springfield Agenda details investments and policies that impact education, immigration, and housing that we will be advocating for this year:

• In Immigration, we support initiatives to fund Illinois Welcoming Centers and legal services for immigrants, as well as access to food assistance and the IL Child Tax Credit, inclusion in state antidiscrimination protections, and support for expectant mothers during pregnancy and postpartum.
• In Housing, we join partners to call for investments and policies that help prevent homelessness, increase access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, and help tenants and people experiencing homelessness protect themselves from unjust and punitive policies.
• In Early Childhood Education, the Forum will advocate for funding increases for quality early education programs that strengthen the early childhood workforce, and that makes full-day preschool and child care more accessible for working families. Also, the Forum is supporting legislation that unites the state’s early childhood programs and services under the umbrella of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
• In K-12 Education, we support budget requests that will support teacher recruitment, support, and retention and that support Mandated Categoricals, programs for students, such as transportation, special education, and meals that do not pull critical resources from classrooms. For K-12 legislation, the Forum will advocate for the Civil Rights Safeguard Act and a measure to fully fund the Evidence-Based Funding Formula by 2027 and Mandated Categoricals.
• For Higher Education, we join partners in calling for increased support for both state Monetary Assistance Programs (MAP) and funding for state four-year colleges and universities to make college more affordable and accessible, and supports for future teachers. And in legislation, the Forum will advocate for the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act, to ensure equitable need-based funding and expanding support for students across the state.
• Additionally, for the first time, the Springfield Agenda includes revenue-generating proposals and legislation to ensure that Latinos in Illinois are fairly counted in the 2030 US Census.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Governor Pritzker will deliver the State of the State address outlining his administration’s policy and budgetary priorities. The proposed state budget is expected that same day, and in the months that follow, advocates, members of the Illinois General Assembly, and Governor’s office will work together to negotiate, build support for, and pass the budget.   

To read the Latino Policy Forum’s 2026 Springfield Agenda, go HERE. 

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About the Latino Policy Forum
The Latino Policy Forum is the only organization in the Chicago area that facilitates the involvement of Latinos at all levels of public decision-making. The Forum conducts analysis to inform, influence and lead. Its goals are to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies and engage diverse sectors of the community, with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future. For more information, visit latinopolicyforum.org.