Blog

Call for Honest Collaboration Between Teachers, Administrators, and Parents

By Blaire Flowers | April 24, 2025

CPS parent Blaire Flowers reflects on the CTU-CPS contract and calls for meaningful engagement with parents.

Our Voices

Statement and Analysis of Baker Tilly Report on CPS Funding Options

By Kids First Chicago | March 18, 2025

Kids First Chicago comments on new Baker Tilly report, commissioned by the Chicago Board of Education to review CPS obligations and funding options.

K1C Perspectives, Policy Priorities

Statement from Kids First Chicago Condemning Actions to Dismantle U.S. Department of Education

By Daniel Anello | March 12, 2025

Kids First Chicago joins colleagues nationwide in condemning the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.

K1C Perspectives

On Governor Pritzker’s Budget Address

By Claiborne Wade | February 19, 2025

Claiborne Wade, chair of Kids First Chicago's Equitable Funding task force, weighs in on Governor Pritzker's 2026 Budget Address.

Our Voices, Policy Priorities

Stakeholders: The new Chicago Board of Education must take ownership of CPS

By Daniel Anello, Janice K. Jackson, Beth Swanson, Sendhil Revuluri | February 17, 2025

Published originally in the Chicago Tribune on February 17, 2025.

K1C Perspectives

On Black History

By Daniel Anello | February 11, 2025

K1C CEO Daniel Anello reflects on what Black history means in America, recent progress and setbacks, and what gives him hope.

Our Voices

Mayor Johnson, non-citizen parents need a chance to advocate for their kids in CPS

By Jessica Cañas | February 3, 2025

Published originally in the Chicago Sun-Times on February 2, 2025.

K1C Perspectives, Policy Priorities

Turning 10 Years Old

By Daniel Anello | January 29, 2025

Daniel Anello marks ten years at Kids First Chicago in January 2025. He reflects on our mission, the lessons we've learned, and the work that still lies ahead.

Our Voices

Why Illinois Must Fully Fund Education Now

By Claiborne Wade | January 13, 2025

Claiborne Wade, chair of Kids First Chicago’s Equitable Funding Task Force, CPS parent, and staff member at DePriest Elementary, presses the state board and state legislators to guarantee more adequate education funding in the FY2026 budget.

Our Voices, Policy Priorities

Katrina Adams Reacts to CPS Special Board Meeting and CEO Sacking, on Eve of Winter Break

By Katrina Adams | December 21, 2024

Parent leader Katrina Adams reflects on what the special December 20 Board of Education meeting and the Board’s decision to fire CEO Martinez means about the city, the mayor, and who gets prioritized by politicians.

Our Voices

Statements from Kids First Chicago & Kids First Chicago Parent Advisory Board on Special CPS Board Meeting

By K1C Parent Advisory Board, Kids First Chicago Team | December 19, 2024

Kids First Chicago and its Parent Advisory Board offer statements on the Board of Education's special session, called with just two days' notice on the brink of the CPS Winter Break.

Our Voices, K1C Perspectives

Letter to Mayor Johnson: Parent Representation on the Chicago Board of Education Matters

By Chicago Parents & Residents | December 13, 2024

Kids First Chicago and 200 signers call on the Mayor to use his remaining appointments to the Board of Education to balance out the representation of current CPS parents of color on the school board.

Our Voices