On behalf of myself and our Board of Education, we are deeply honored to host this prestigious event right here at John Mills Elementary School. I'm immensely proud to stand here before you because I know the true enormity of what these awards represent. It represents the extraordinary dedication of our students, our teachers, our support staff, our administrators, our families. It represents the unwavering leadership and support of our school board and the wrap-around community partners that lift us up every single day.
Behind this achievement was a deliberate purpose. Every resource allocated, every schedule adapted, and every decision made in District 401 was driven by a single focused lens: providing our students exactly what they need, no matter what.
An achievement like this does not happen overnight. It is the culmination of years of hard work, analyzing data, creating bold plans, and putting them into action. It requires continuous professional development, ongoing guidance, and the grit to analyze our progress and stay the course, even when things get tough.
It takes relentless determination to assure our students have every tool necessary to succeed. It truly does take a village to reach a moment like this. Each district in this room is represented by its own unique story of perseverance and dedication. But no matter our individual journeys, we are all united by one shared mission: the success and achievement of our students. To all the districts and schools with us today, congratulations on this incredible recognition.
And to our John Mills students, teachers, support staff, building and district leaders, families, Board of Education, and community partners, congratulations. This award is a testament to everything we have been building towards: meeting our students where they are, giving them what they need, and empowering them to thrive. To show off some of our John Mills pride, our student council members will be singing our school song.
Student Council Members
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We'll always think of you, maroon and gold. We'll always love and honor you. No matter if you're young or if you're old, you'll be the greatest school we knew. There'll never be a school that's quite like you. John Mills will always be the first and best. Your colors stand for truth and loyalty. You stand before the rest. We'll always think of you, maroon and gold. We'll always love and honor you. No matter if you're young or if you're old, you'll be the greatest school we knew. There'll never be a school that's quite like you. John Mills will always be the first and best. Your colors stand for truth and loyalty. You stand before the rest.
Thank you, student council members. Fabulous job. It is now my distinct privilege and great honor to introduce and welcome Governor J.B. Pritzker to the podium. Thank you.
How about a round of applause again for these terrific young people? Just amazing. Good morning, John Mills. Great to see all of you. I really am honored to be here with representatives of 24 of the truly excellent schools and some of the brightest and best young minds, of course, in all of Illinois. I want to just begin by thanking a few people: our hosts here at John Mills, of course, Superintendent Leah Gotti, Principal Frank Kruszewski, all the teachers and all the support staff that work in this great school.
The teachers, administrators, and support staff at all of the exemplary schools recognized in this program, the mayor of Elmwood Park, Skip Saviano, my good friend and great partner in the General Assembly, the president of the State Senate, Don Harmon, and, of course, our State Superintendent Tony Sanders. We are here today to congratulate the students, the teachers, the administrators, and so many others here at John Mills Elementary and all 24 schools across the state of Illinois on your official recognition as a Governor's Blue Ribbon School.
Your hard work, your sterling performance inside and outside the classroom have earned you this prestigious designation. You all have gone above and beyond in the past school year and set the standard for excellence in education. Your daily commitment to your students, your attention to each and every child, your dedication to the parents and communities that you represent have made our state very, very proud.
These schools are the best of the best. But all across Illinois, K-12 education is reaching new heights. Students, teachers, and faculty are raising the bar and showing what is possible when we invest in our kids and help them to reach their full potential. The results are in. US News and World Report ranks K-12 education in Illinois the fifth best in the country.
CNBC, the television cable news station, ranks Illinois seventh in the nation. They're not quite accurate. I think we're fifth. But we'll take it anyway. Last year, only one state outpaced Illinois in eighth grade reading scores, and only four states outpaced Illinois in eighth grade math scores. That's something truly to recognize and be proud of.
Now, we now have our highest high school graduation rate in the history of the state of Illinois. That's something special.
And I especially want to recognize the highest Black and Latino high school graduation rates. I mean, we have — this is kind of a tremendous development in the state of Illinois. Really, everybody across the board, every demography, we are seeing new heights. And it makes me proud to be the governor of this great state as all of you do the work to make this happen.
That progress is a testament to the passion and the dedication of our teachers, our administrators, our school board members, and others who work tirelessly to uplift our students to be the exceedingly bright and driven young people they are. And it is confirmation that the nearly $3 billion increase in K-12 public school funding that the General Assembly and I have made over the last 8 years — it's a 37% increase since 2019 — that those investments are paying off, and having more teachers working in our schools than ever before makes a real difference in the quality of our educational system.
For over 40 years, the Blue Ribbon Awards have been a way to celebrate exemplary schools for superior student performance and closing of achievement gaps. It was a chance to recognize the work of principals, and teachers, support staff, and students who have set a new standard of excellence. You can ask anybody in education: those Blue Ribbon designations mean something to our educators. They mean something to our parents, to our students, and to our communities. Many schools proudly display their National Blue Ribbon seals, banners, and plaques for years after receiving the designation.
So, last year after the federal government ended the national program, the state of Illinois stepped in and established our own Blue Ribbon Schools program. And here in Illinois, we believe that hard work and educational attainment should be celebrated. We believe that students who study hard, teachers who put in extra hours, and administrators who carry out a long-term vision for excellence should all be recognized. Especially at a moment when a quality education is more important than ever for our people, for our country.
Illinois simply cannot abandon our pursuit of academic excellence. Our commitment to education determines the strength of our communities, the stability of our democracy, and the health of our economy. Illinois education is on the rise, among the best in the nation, and improving every single year. I intend to keep us on that path to become the best in the entire nation. I'm not satisfied with being fifth. We ought to be number one.
But I'm here to send a message to our children and our teachers: we see your hard work. We are so very proud of you. We believe in your potential, and we are going to keep showing up for you. We're going to celebrate your achievement and invest in the people who make our schools great. Our best days are really ahead, and that is in part because of schools like John Mills and all the Blue Ribbon schools that are preparing our next generation to lead. So, with that, I'm very happy to call to this podium our terrific superintendent of schools for the state, Tony Sanders.
Thank you, Governor. It is a pleasure to be here with the governor today, and like him, I would like to recognize Superintendent Goochie and Principal Kuzneski for all the work they do here at John Mills Elementary School, as well as their staff members who are here in attendance with us, as well.
The governor spoke briefly on the history of the Blue Ribbon status across this country. For decades, the federal government took it upon itself to recognize higher-achieving schools through the Blue Ribbon recognition process. Very rigorous process where states would identify schools that were breaking ranks, really doing amazing work in closing achievement gaps, and we would submit our nominations to the federal government. Last year at this time, schools across this state learned that they were Blue Ribbon finalists, and then they were at the last minute told by the Trump administration, 'We're not going to recognize you.' Our governor stepped in and said, 'Not on my watch. We are going to continue to recognize the exemplary work happening in our schools across Illinois.' That's why this is now called the governor's Blue Ribbon status. And for that, I think we need to give him a round of applause.
A Blue Ribbon is more than just an award or a banner that hangs in a school. It represents the work happening inside buildings across our state every day. It represents the teachers who know their students and find ways to help them succeed. It represents principals, administrators, who create the conditions for great teaching and learning. It represents support staff who make sure your students have what they need, whether that's support in the classroom, a healthy lunch, or a ride on the school bus. And it represents families and communities that believe deeply in their schools.
Our honorees have different students, different communities, and different stories, but they share something important: a commitment to helping every student succeed. And that work is not easy. Schools across Illinois are constantly adapting to meet the needs of our students. They're strengthening instruction, supporting students academically and personally, building partnerships with families, and finding new ways to make sure every student has an opportunity to thrive.
Today gives us an opportunity to step back and recognize those schools that are doing this work exceptionally well. And recognition like this matters for other reasons as well. When we identify schools that are achieving great things for students, we also create opportunities for us to learn from them. Would you agree? We can ask things like: what's working at this school? What are the adults in this school doing differently than I'm doing in my school if I'm a principal? How are they supporting their students differently than we are within our school? And what can other schools across our state learn from their success? That's one of the most valuable things about today.
The schools we're recognizing demonstrate what is possible when talented educators, strong leadership, engaged families, and supportive communities come together around our students. So to the educators today, thank you. We know that awards like this don't happen because of one person or one initiative. They're the result of thousands of decisions and interactions that happen throughout a school year, often when nobody outside the building is actually watching.
And to the students who are here today, this recognition belongs to you. Your hard work, your curiosity, resilience, and accomplishments are ultimately why we're all here to celebrate today. I hope everyone receiving this honor takes a moment today to enjoy it and be proud on behalf of your school community. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education and the Governor's Office, congratulations to all of our Blue Ribbon Schools. One more round of applause.
It is now my honor to welcome to the podium Principal Kuznetsky.
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to John Mills School and most importantly to the Village of Elmwood Park. As principal, and a very proud principal, of John Mills School, I am incredibly proud of the people and the daily work behind this Governor's Blue Ribbon Award.
When I think about the progress in closing the achievement gap, I think about our teachers. The planning, the collaboration, and the care that go into answering one essential question: what do our students need next? Our teachers turn that question into action every single day. They look closely at student learning. They adjust their instruction. They differentiate, providing extra support, a different approach, or a new challenge so every student continues to grow. That takes hard work, skill, and intention.
Our strong partnership with John Mills parents and families deepens our work. By listening and learning from them, we better understand their children's strengths and needs. And we work together to support their successes. We got here by connecting state and district initiatives to the real needs of our students and our community. In our classrooms, that means keeping expectations high, yet providing different paths and supports to reach them.
The guidance and direction of our superintendent, Dr. Leah Goche, and our executive director for curriculum and instruction, Mr. Derek Naglack, helped us turn those priorities into purposeful classroom practice. Together with our district and my other schools within this district, we equip teachers with effective resources and professional learning to strengthen instruction and provide the best possible education for all students.
To our teachers and to teachers everywhere, this recognition reflects your persistence, your expertise, and your belief in every single child. To our students, your effort and growth give us so much to celebrate. Being intentional about each student's needs has helped us close achievement gaps and create opportunities for even greater success. I am proud of what we have accomplished and yet excited for what comes next at John Mills School. At this time, I want to welcome Superintendent Jason Fox to the podium. Thank you.
Good morning. My name is Jason Fox and I'm the Superintendent of Schools for Richland County Community Unit School District number one in Olney, Illinois. It is truly an honor to be here today to celebrate Richland County Elementary School as a selection for the 2026 Governor's Blue Ribbon School. This recognition is something our entire school community should be proud of. While an award like this may have a school's name on it, the work behind it belongs to an entire team of individuals.
I want to begin by recognizing our elementary administration for providing leadership, setting high expectations, and continually looking for ways to improve the educational experience for our students. To our teachers and support staff, thank you for the countless hours you invest in our children, your commitment to student growth, strengthening our curriculum, developing effective interventions, creating special learning opportunities, and participating in professional development. That demonstrates that you are never satisfied with doing what has always been done. You continue to look for ways to help every student succeed.
To our students, thank you. Your hard work, your perseverance, and your willingness to learn and grow is what this award is about. This achievement belongs to you and we are incredibly proud of you. To our parents, families, and community, thank you for partnering with our school. Successful schools are built through strong partnerships between community, school, and the home. This award reflects a commitment to continuous improvement. It represents a belief that every student can grow, that great teaching matters, and that investing in our people and our programs makes a difference.
On behalf of all the schools being recognized today, I want to sincerely thank Governor Pritzker, Dr. Sanders, and Illinois State Board of Education for recognizing the positive work taking part in schools across our state. Education is filled with dedicated professionals who work every day to make a difference in the lives of children, often without recognition or fanfare. Taking time to celebrate those efforts is both meaningful and appreciated.
At a time when so much of our conversations are around negativity or challenges or what went wrong, it is especially important to recognize what is going right. There are wonderful things happening in our schools every single day. Students are growing, teachers are making a difference, and communities are coming together to support the next generation. Today, we have an opportunity to celebrate 24 schools who are representative of those success stories.
On behalf of Richland County Community Unit School number one, I want to congratulate Richland County Elementary School, but I also want to congratulate all the schools honored here today. Thank you for representing your districts so well, and for demonstrating what is possible when people work together with a shared commitment to our students. Thank you.
Our next speaker is President Harmon.
Good morning, all. So, thank you, Governor, for coming to Elmwood Park and making John Mills the host for this celebration of all the Blue Ribbon schools across the state, and especially for recognizing John Mills.
As your state senator here, I'm proud to join the Elmwood Park community in recognizing the students, teachers, staff, and families who made this achievement possible. To the students, congratulations. This award recognizes your hard work, your curiosity, and your willingness to learn even when something is difficult. You should be proud of yourselves.
To all the teachers and staff, this honor reflects the effort you put in every day to encourage and help students to discover what they're capable of achieving. And to the families, you share in this recognition. Your support and partnership make this success possible.
So, I appreciate Governor Pritzker's commitment to continuing the Blue Ribbon tradition here in Illinois. Outstanding schools deserve recognition, and their accomplishments give us the opportunity to see what's working and learn from it. This program celebrates both the academic achievement and the progress schools make in helping more students succeed. And those accomplishments are worth honoring. So, today John Mills gives us a wonderful example of that work, and gives Elmwood Park a wonderful reason to celebrate. So, congratulations to the entire John Mills school community, and to all the Blue Ribbon schools across the state.
It's now my pleasure to turn the podium over to my great friend and your mayor, the mayor of Elmwood Park, Skip Saviano.
Thank you, Senator. Well, this is really something to be proud of. As the mayor of Elmwood Park, this is a real feather in our cap. And Governor, I really want to thank you. It's an honor and privilege to have you in our community today and for you to come out here and take time out to celebrate this with us means a lot to us. Thank you.
Also, I'd like to congratulate — I mean, our superintendent, the staff at District 401 is incredible. There's some other people, too, that are responsible for these successes and those are the people that serve on our school board. They give these schools the tools to accomplish things like this. And that means a lot. Stand up, guys. Please.
Their leadership in this district really allows everyone from principals to support staff to do their jobs and be fully equipped to serve our students, which we're very proud of, also.
We have a beautiful school district. We have a beautiful community. School district is a real compliment to our community. Always has been. But in recent times with the renovations of our facilities and everything throughout our community, we are very proud to be residents of Elmwood Park. So, with that, again, thank you to all of you and Governor, again, thank you for being here. It's a great honor for our community. Thank you.
What's the most critical factor that you look for when selecting Blue Ribbon nominees? And how does that metric reflect your vision for Illinois students and educational goals?
Well, it's about outcomes, of course, in the end. What we want is for our kids to thrive, to do well in school, and to be able to move on to their next journey in their education. So, these are the schools that are doing it best and in part they're doing it best because of the great teachers, because of the attention the parents are paying, and frankly because the students themselves are just working their tails off to do a good job in school. So, I'm really proud of that and of course I don't want to forget to recognize the superintendents and the administrators who are kind of setting policy and direction and they're the ones who create the vision that makes it possible for them to win a great award like this.
Yeah, and when the federal government ended the national blue ribbon program, Illinois was very quick to step up to launch its own state level program. What went through your mind when you realized that the state needed to step in to continue to recognize these students?
Well, what a great program this has been for communities to know that they have one of the best schools in the entire state means a lot for people that live in that community, certainly for the kids and the people who work in the schools themselves. And so to have that program go away, especially because it was midstream, they'd already picked the finalists and then decided they're not going to actually award the schools. So, it was an easy choice for me. I want to recognize excellence in our public schools, in our private schools, all across the state of Illinois and so this is a program that does that and it was easy for us to adopt it because the standards are already set and we know that every year going we're going to be able to recognize the best of the best.
Governor. Hi. Looking ahead to the fall session, I'm curious whether ethics reform will be a legislative priority for you on the left with like the Power Act. And I'm curious what specifically you might push for.
I think you know that there only are really six days of a session that's usually called veto session. So, it's about taking up vetoes and when you don't have vetoes or not many, you take up anything else you can in a very short period of time. It also requires a supermajority vote to get anything done. So, I like to set expectations low because generally speaking we don't get a lot done in a veto session just because it's so short. So, that's kind of my broader answer to your question, but the narrower answer is on ethics legislation nearly every year that I've been in office we've taken advancements in our ethics laws. I've proposed many of those changes and I'm always looking for new things to do, but the things that we want to focus on are the things that aren't already illegal, let's say, and where we think we can narrow the possibility of anybody breaching their duty as a public servant. So, again, those ideas have been floating around for some time. Not enough hearings have been done on them, but I'd love to take them up. I think it's more likely that we would take it up in the general session beginning next year.
