Pritzker Highlights Illinois Education Gains as Students Return to School (Chicago, IL) – As students across Illinois return to classrooms, Gov. JB Pritzker is highlighting the state’s performance in national education rankings while pointing to continued investments in schools and new initiatives designed to lower education-related costs for students and families.
Illinois received several high marks in 2026 national rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranked the state No. 5 nationally for pre-K-12 education in its 2026 Best States rankings, while CNBC ranked Illinois No. 7 for overall education in its 2026 Top States for Business rankings.
ConsumerAffairs ranked Illinois No. 8 for public education and No. 6 for higher education. The state also ranked No. 2 nationally for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion rate, reaching a record rate for Illinois.
While the rankings use different methodologies, the state said they collectively measure areas including K-12 performance, school resources, higher education and career preparation.
“From our earliest learners to students preparing for college and careers, Illinois is recognized as having one of best education systems in the nation,” Pritzker said. “These rankings and achievements reflect years of sustained investment in our students, educators, and schools. And as families prepare for a new school year, we’re building on that progress by lowering costs, expanding opportunities, and making sure every student has the resources they need to succeed.”
The administration also pointed to several student outcomes it says demonstrate progress in Illinois schools.
The state’s high school graduation rate has reached 89%, the highest rate on record, with record-high graduation rates also reported among Black and Latino students.
Nearly half of in-state college students attending public universities pay no tuition and fees, according to the administration, while more than half of college students pay 25% or less of their tuition and fees.
Illinois’ community college system has also recorded four consecutive years of fall enrollment growth.
The state is marking the 10th anniversary of its Seal of Biliteracy program, which recognizes students who demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages. A record 17,111 students achieved multilingual proficiency through the program.
Since taking office, Pritzker has made public education a central focus of his administration. The governor’s office said Illinois has increased Evidence-Based Funding for schools by $2.5 billion, bringing total funding through the formula to a record $9.2 billion.
Several initiatives are also taking effect or expanding as the new school year begins.
A new K-12 Education Expense Tax Credit allows parents and legal guardians of full-time K-12 students under age 21 to claim a 25% tax credit on qualifying education expenses exceeding $250. The credit is capped at $750 per household, regardless of the number of qualifying students.
Eligible educators can also claim a tax credit of up to $250 for qualifying expenses paid during the tax year.
Schools are also preparing for new restrictions on student cellphone and wireless-device use. Under legislation signed by Pritzker, school districts and charter schools must adopt policies limiting student cellphone and other wireless-device use during school hours beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.
The policies must include exceptions for health and safety needs, educational purposes and student accommodations.
Transportation costs are also changing for students using public transit in the Chicago region.
Under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, student fares on CTA and Pace will be standardized at 75 cents, including free two-hour transfers. The reduced fare will be available throughout the day and year, rather than being limited to traditional school hours and the academic calendar.
Metra will continue to offer its reduced student fare.
Illinois families also received a temporary break on certain back-to-school purchases in August, when the state portion of the sales tax on qualifying clothing, footwear and school supplies was waived.
The administration said the combination of education investments, improved student outcomes and cost-saving measures is intended to build on Illinois’ recent gains while expanding access and opportunity for students statewide.
Pritzker Highlights Illinois Education Gains as Students Return to School
