Chicago City Wire

Mike Quigley, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Illinois' 5th district since 2009, expressed concerns regarding federal education policies in a series of tweets. He highlighted issues surrounding the Department of Education's role and funding in K-12 schools, as well as recent personnel cuts under President Trump's administration.

On March 12, 2025, Quigley tweeted about the limited influence of the federal government on education. He stated that "the idea that the federal government is unilaterally controlling education is ludicrous," emphasizing that "The Department of Education is the smallest cabinet level agency, providing less than 8% of funding for K-12 schools."

Later that day, Quigley commented on staff reductions at the Department of Education, suggesting they disproportionately affected those working on Federal Student Aid. He remarked that "President Trump's aim is clear - college only for the wealthy."

On March 13, 2025, Quigley addressed President Trump's educational policies again. He criticized recent layoffs within the Department of Education by stating: "President Trump claims to care about ensuring the next generation has the skills to enter jobs and then fires half of the Department of Education which is responsible for providing funding for these programs. It doesn't add up."