by Jacqui Guillen | Sep 23, 2025 | East St. Louis, In the Media
In 2018, East St. Louis Parent Leaders (Parents United for Change – PUFC) won historic legislation when HB5195 passed, ensuring all students in District 189 would receive free school bus services. However, parents and community members have been seeing...
by Jacqui Guillen | Jun 30, 2025 | City of Chicago, East St. Louis, Kane County, Local Victories
It’s been an exciting and challenging program year! Every year, COFI works with parent teams across Chicago neighborhoods and Illinois communities to organize and take action within their own local schools and communities. Parents make it look easy, but the truth is,...
by Jacqui Guillen | Feb 28, 2025 | East St. Louis, Mental Health, Mental Health Justice & Equity
Parent Leaders Mamie Cosey (right) and Rosalia Salgado (left) pose for a picture with Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton (middle). The Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force, which COFI and POWER-PAC IL parents Mamie Cosey (East St. Louis) and Rosalia Salgado...
by Darius Vinesar | Sep 11, 2024 | East St. Louis, Stepping Out of Poverty
Parent leaders in East St. Louis gathered at a forum hosted by Children’s Advocates for Change to discuss child poverty and potential solutions to address it. Increased funding for public schools, higher-quality education, and higher attendance were some...
by Jacqui Guillen | Jan 22, 2024 | East St. Louis, In the Media
As Congress considers expanding the federal child tax credit (CTC), COFI and POWER-PAC IL Parent Leader LeAnn Swain (East St. Louis) spoke to WCIA 3 News about how the 2021 CTC helped her get household necessities for her family. Here is an excerpt: “During the...
by COFI Admin | Dec 16, 2021 | East St. Louis, In the Media
“Lettie Hicks, whose younger daughter is currently a second grade student in East St. Louis school district 189, received a warning letter after her daughter missed five days of school last year. Hicks was confused when she received the letter. Her school...
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