Featured Press Overview

May 8, 2026 • The 74 Million

Jennifer Stern and Daniel Anello: Congress should use budget negotiations to ensure that ICE stays out of schools so that students can keep attending regularly.

April 15, 2026 • Chicago Tribune

In this co-written op-ed, education advocates Jessica Handy, Josh Kaufmann, and Hal Woods make the case that Illinois should not eliminate the indicator that measures whether students are prepared to succeed after high school. They argue that this accountability measure is critical for ensuring students are truly ready for college, careers, and long-term success.

April 2, 2026 • The 74 Million

This piece references our Safe Passage Report, which examines how ICE raids led to sharp enrollment declines in school districts, leaving students, families, and schools to face the consequences. As fear spread through immigrant communities, many families kept children home or withdrew them entirely, disrupting learning and deepening absenteeism.

March 25, 2026 • Telemundo Chicago

K1C’s own Vanessa Espinoza was interviewed by Telemundo on Wednesday, unpacking Chicago’s enrollment trends.

March 12, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

Overall absenteeism this year is comparable to last year, but our new report finds that it is markedly worse among students learning English. The report gives several suggestions that may curtail future attendance decreases and ensure academic continuity.

March 12, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

In our Safe Passage Report, we found that while overall absenteeism this year is comparable to last year, the impact is significantly worse for students learning English. Immigration enforcement has created added fear and instability for many families, directly affecting school attendance and students’ ability to learn. Our findings show that stronger coordination and support systems are critical to preventing further declines in attendance and ensuring every student feels safe getting to and from school.

February 20, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

Last fall, the federal administration launched “Operation Midway Blitz,” and neighborhoods are still feeling its impact. K1C parent Alejandra shares her reflections, concerns, and the lasting effects on her community.

January 30, 2026 • Chicago Tribune

Daniel Anello, CEO of Kids First Chicago, authored an op-ed regarding the need for CPS to share more real-time data about student attendance, particularly in light of immigration enforcement actions.

January 28, 2026 • FOX 32 Chicago

Our Chief of Policy, Hal Woods, joins Paris Schutz from FOX 32 to discuss part three of our Enrollment Report.

January 23, 2026 • Chicago Tribune

At Kids First Chicago, we found that CPS enrollment continues to decline, with the district serving a shrinking share of Chicago’s school-aged children. We warn that without a clear, long-term plan, fewer students could lead to reduced academic and enrichment opportunities instead of stronger, right-sized schools. We’re calling on district leaders and policymakers to act now to thoughtfully adapt schools to these demographic shifts.

January 23, 2026 • FOX 32 Chicago

The article highlights that Chicago Public Schools is facing a long-term enrollment decline, with the district losing tens of thousands of students over the past two decades. Kids First Chicago’s report warns the bigger concern isn’t just fewer kids but the lack of a plan to protect student opportunities as schools shrink.

January 22, 2026 • Chicago Tribune

"A new report from the trusted Kids First Chicago shows that CPS is serving a smaller share of the city’s school-age population, evidence that parental choice is in no small part behind CPS’ enrollment woes. In 2018, CPS enrolled about 75% of Chicago’s school-age children. By 2023, that share had fallen to roughly 71%."