Durbin, Duckworth, Casten Introduce Resolution Honoring Illinois' Blue Ribbon Schools After Trump Administration Ends Program

The resolution recognizes the 28 Illinois schools who earned a designation as a Blue Ribbon School before the Trump Administration ended the program earlier this year

WASHINGTON- After the Trump Administration ended the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today introduced a resolution to recognize the 28 Illinois schools that were selected to receive the designation of Blue Ribbon Schools this year. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was a national recognition from the U.S. Department of Education given to public, charter, and private schools for their exemplary education and work to close the achievement gap.

"Rather than continue our nation's tradition of celebrating schools that have dedicated themselves to closing the achievement gap, the Trump Administration has focused its energy on closing the Department of Education at the detriment of our nation's students and their education. While the Trump Administration will not recognize the hard work of educators, I am proud to celebrate the achievements of Illinois schools who earned the title of being a Blue Ribbon School," said Durbin. "My resolution with Senator Duckworth and Congressman Casten gives these schools - and the educators, faculty, and staff that run them - the recognition they deserve."

"Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our schools and support our teachers," Duckworth said. "I'm proud to recognize this year's National Blue Ribbon Schools across Illinois and their efforts to help students thrive inside and outside the classroom. I will continue to work alongside Senator Durbin to ensure that all students-no matter their zip code-have the opportunity to grow and thrive."

"Illinois' Blue Ribbon Schools represent the very best of our state's education system," said Casten. "Teachers, administrators, and students work tirelessly to earn this distinction, which recognizes a sustained commitment to academic excellence. Although the Trump Administration needlessly ended the program, Congress can and should continue to honor deserving institutions. I am proud to introduce this resolution with Senator Durbin to ensure their achievements receive the recognition they've earned."

Created in 1982 by the Reagan Administration, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program was the highest federal recognition a school could receive. The program showcased the best teaching practices of educators and encouraged other schools to model them. Since its inception, the program honored more than 9,000 public, private, charter, and parochial schools nationwide.

Joining Durbin, Duckworth, and Casten in introducing the resolution are U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Johnathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

Illinois schools that were selected for the 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools designation prior to the discontinuation of the program are:

• Ascension Catholic School - Oak Park, Illinois
• Clarendon Hills Middle School - Clarendon Hills, Illinois
• Glen Oaks Elementary School - Hickory Hills, Illinois
• Highlands Elementary School - La Grange, Illinois
• Kennedy Junior High School - Lisle, Illinois
• Liberty Intermediate School - Bourbonnais, Illinois
• Lincoln-Way East High School - Frankfort, Illinois
• Lyons Township High School - La Grange, Illinois
• Mascoutah Middle School - Mascoutah, Illinois
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy - Chicago, Illinois
• Pleasantdale Middle School - Burr Ridge, Illinois
• Prescott Elementary School - Chicago, Illinois
• Regina Dominican High School - Wilmette, Illinois
• Sarah Adams Elementary School - Lake Zurich, Illinois
• St. Anne Catholic School - Barrington, Illinois
• St. Giles School - Oak Park, Illinois
• St. John of the Cross Parish School - Western Springs, Illinois
• St. Matthias School - Chicago, Illinois
• St. Norbert School - Northbrook, Illinois
• St. Therese Chinese Catholic School - Chicago, Illinois
• Sunset Ridge Elementary School - Northfield, Illinois
• The Academy at St. Joan of Arc - Evanston, Illinois
• Timothy Christian P-8 - Elmhurst, Illinois
• Walker Elementary School - Clarendon Hills, Illinois
• Warren Elementary School - Warren, Illinois
• Wheaton Academy - West Chicago, Illinois
• William Fremd High School - Palatine, Illinois
• Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart - Lake Forest, Illinois

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