Budzinski Statement on President Trump Dismantling the Department of Education

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski represents Illinois’ 13th Congressional District

For Immediate Release – March 20, 2025

Budzinski recently invited a special education teacher to Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to shut down the Department of Education:

“President Trump’s directive to shut down the Department of Education is one of his most destructive actions yet. This department plays a critical role in helping Americans afford college, supporting students with special needs, and ensuring every child – no matter their zip code – has access to a high-quality education,” said Budzinski. “Not only will this move help to dismantle our public education system, it is blatant overreach of executive authority. I invite my Republican colleagues to bring this measure to the floor — let them explain to the families in their districts why they are voting to take away critical education programs their children rely on.”

There are 305 traditional public and public charter schools in IL-13, serving 112,960 children. These schools receive a combined $217 million in funding through Department of Education programs, including $53.7 million in Title I funding, $51.4 million in Child Nutrition Act funding, and $36.2 million in IDEA funding for students with disabilities.

Congresswoman Budzinski invited Lisa Quandt, a special education teacher from Belleville, IL, as her guest to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on March 4. Budzinski hoped that Lisa’s attendance would remind the President of the real people who will suffer because of his actions, including thousands of special education students in IL-13 who rely on federal funds for school programming.

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