Advocating for Adult Education in Illinois

Engage with your Legislators!

An Illinois advocacy campaign connecting adult educators with legislators to champion funding, policy, and progress for adult learners statewide.

Quick Actions

Find Your Illinois Legislators

Use our tool to find and connect with your local Illinois legislators to advocate for adult education.

Send a Message

Access our templates to send a personalized message or request a meeting with policymakers.

Read the Fact Sheet

A snapshot of adult education’s impact, funding needs, and policy priorities.

What is Educate and Elevate?

Educate and Elevate is a national advocacy campaign uniting tens of thousands of adult education leaders to move learning opportunities forward and demonstrate the vital role adult education plays in economic and social mobility. It equips educators with advocacy toolkits, webinars, success stories, and outreach resources designed to help policymakers understand the value adult education brings to students, workers, and communities. By sharing data, narratives, and coordinated strategies, the campaign strengthens the case for sustained funding, policy support, and expanded access in every state.
Educate & Elevate Adult Education
Why an Adult Education Campaign?

Illinois stands at an important crossroads. Adult education empowers individuals to advance their skills, secure employment, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. We urge state and federal leaders to recognize this impact and make adult education funding a sustained priority.

What is the benefit for participation?

Adult educators and organizations across Illinois are encouraged to participate in the campaign. By sharing success stories and innovative practices, programs can elevate their work, access advocacy resources, and strengthen their case for sustained support. Collective storytelling and measurable outcomes help policymakers understand the essential role adult education plays in advancing statewide priorities.

Download Media Resources

Get COABE’s media-ready graphics and outreach materials to support your advocacy efforts, whether you’re contacting legislators, sharing on social, or telling your story. These tools make it simple to communicate the impact of adult education across every audience.

Submit Your Story & Take Action

Share a student or program success story that highlights the difference adult education makes in your community and helps multiply our collective impact. You can also find easy ways to contact legislators, post on social media, or participate in broader campaign actions.

Advocacy Steps & Toolkits

Access step-by-step guidance on contacting your legislators, writing op-eds, and engaging learners and communities in advocacy. This outreach playbook gives you practical, ready-to-use strategies to elevate adult education messages where they matter most.