Parents in Illinois are expressing outrage over Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker’s recent law expanding student financial aid eligibility to include illegal immigrants. The policy has sparked significant opposition from local parents, who argue it places undue financial strain on taxpayers and undermines educational equity for U.S. citizens.
Critics like Michelle Cunney, a local parent and leader of the Parents’ Rights in Education chapter, describe the law as a ‘nightmare,’ warning that it places American children at a disadvantage while funneling resources to undocumented students. Cunney and others believe the policy reflects a larger Democratic agenda that places the needs of immigrants above the educational and financial interests of U.S. citizens, especially those who are tax-paying parents.
Under Pritzker’s leadership, the law allows all Illinois residents—including undocumented individuals—to access financial aid for education. This has led to fears that non-citizen students will receive preferential treatment in college admissions, with critics claiming that some schools have already adjusted grading standards to benefit undocumented students.
Suzanne Gallagher, national executive director of Parents’ Rights in Education, criticized the policy, saying that state and federal leaders have consistently shifted funds away from K-12 education and toward college aid for undocumented students. Gallagher warned that this trend is eroding the educational system for U.S. children, with public schools facing budget cuts and declining academic performance.
While the governor’s office has not yet issued a public statement in response to the backlash, critics argue that Pritzker’s decision reflects a larger ideological shift among some Democratic leaders, who prioritize immigration reform and social equity over traditional concerns for the American education system.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Pritzker’s office for comment but has not yet received a response. The controversy surrounding the law has intensified as more parents and education advocates voice their concerns, arguing that it represents a troubling shift in policy priorities that could have long-term consequences for the state’s educational institutions and future leadership.