Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday that Illinois is initiating a state-level version of the recently canceled federal Blue Ribbon Schools Program, naming 28 recipients of the award.
“Especially at this moment when a quality education is more important than ever for our people, for our country, we simply cannot abandon our pursuit of academic excellence,” Pritzker said. “Our commitment to education determines the strength of our communities, the stability of our democracy and the health of our economy.”
The announcement was made at Glen Oaks Elementary in Hickory Hills, one of the 28 schools to receive the inaugural Governor’s Blue Ribbon award. The list consists of 15 public schools and 13 private schools from across the state, and includes both elementary and high schools.
The one other school on the list from the south and southwest suburbs is Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort.
Other suburban honorees include Highlands Elementary School and Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills Elementary School and Walker Middle School in Clarendon Hills, Ascension Catholic School and St. Giles School in Oak Park, St. John of the Cross Parish School in Western Springs and Timothy Christian in Elmhurst.
“As we’ve been doing for nine months now, Illinois is picking up where the federal government has dropped the ball,” Pritzker said. “Twenty-eight schools across Illinois are receiving this prestigious distinction based on the exact same rigorous criteria formerly used by the U.S. Department of Education.”
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program, started in 1982 under President Ronald Reagan, had been a marker of excellence in education, its receipt often prompting local celebrations. Its cancellation was announced in August of this year as part of the federal government’s campaign to downsize its role in education.
The honorees of the new state program are the same schools that would have received the national award this year. At the time the program was shuttered, the Illinois recipients had already been decided.
“The United States Department of Education has decided to axe this program, ending a 40-year legacy of honoring schools that exemplify achievement, like that found at Glen Oaks,” said Democratic state Rep. Michael Crawford.
Glen Oaks Elementary was awarded the federal recognition twice, in 2019 and 2012. Both banners were displayed on the wall behind Pritzker as he spoke.
“You can ask anybody in education. Those Blue Ribbon designations really do mean something to our educators, and our parents, and our students and our communities,” Pritzker said. “Many schools proudly display their national Blue Ribbon seals, their banners, their plaques recognizing that for years after they’ve received the designation.”
Steven Isoye, chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, said the award didn’t just recognize high achievement, but also a strong commitment to equity in education.
“It’s a statement that these schools, and the students, educators and families that make them great, are achieving at the very highest levels while also ensuring that every child has a chance to succeed,” Isoye said. “These are schools that show strong academic proficiency and, just as importantly, schools that are closing the achievement gaps. That’s a true measure of excellence, when success is shared by all students.”
Democratic state Senator Willie Preston emphasized the importance of quality education in addressing historical injustice.
“Our president of this country is trying to turn back the clock,” Preston said. “He’s not attacking just education. He’s attacking representation. He’s diluting Black representation, stealing seats and silencing voices that have fought too hard and too long to be heard.”
Preston’s 16th district includes parts of Chicago’s South Side and stretches west to cover parts of the suburbs, including Hickory Hills.
“We know that strong public schools are how to protect our democracy and our progress,” Preston said. “Because when every child gets a quality education, every community gets stronger.”
Honorees will also be celebrated at an event at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield in spring.
elewis@chicagotribune.com
