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

December 18, 2025 Casten, Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Resolution Honoring Illinois’ Blue Ribbon Schools After Trump Administration Ends Program Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2025) — After the Trump Administration ended the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) 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. “Illinois’ Blue Ribbon Schools represent the very best of our state’s education system,” said Rep. 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 Senators Durbin and Duckworth to ensure their achievements receive the recognition they’ve earned.” “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 Sen. 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,” Sen. 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.” 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 has honored more than 9,000 public, private, charter, and parochial schools nationwide. Joining Casten, Durbin, and Duckworth in introducing the resolution are U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Johnathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14). 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 ### Print Email Share Tweet