Dupage Policy Journal

Stephanie Trussell, a candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives District 42, expressed concerns about the state's focus on expanding control over mental health at the expense of student achievement in reading and math. Her statement was made on X.

"Illinois is failing our children daily, never offering plans to improve Reading and Math scores," said Trussell. "They want more control over children. They want to be trusted with their mental health."

According to K-12 Dive, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is advancing a law that mandates annual mental health screenings for students in grades 3–12, starting in the 2027–28 school year. The screenings will be universal but will allow parental opt-outs. ISBE is required to finalize guidelines by September 2026. This policy reflects an increasing effort to connect mental health with academic performance and overall student well-being.

Recent state test results, as reported by Illinois Policy, indicate that only 41.2% of Illinois students in grades 3–8 achieved reading proficiency, while just 28.4% met math proficiency in 2024. Although these figures show modest improvements since 2023, performance among 11th graders has declined, with reading proficiency at 31.1% and math at 26.1%. These statistics underscore ongoing challenges in addressing learning gaps following the pandemic.

Chalkbeat reports that Illinois students outperformed national averages on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, with fourth and eighth graders scoring higher than their peers in reading and math. Nevertheless, proficiency rates remain low; only 30% of fourth graders are proficient in reading—a decline of three points from 2022—and about one-third of eighth graders are proficient in both reading and math. Nationally, scores continue to fall short of pre-pandemic levels.

According to Muddy River News, Stephanie Trussell is a conservative commentator and former radio talk show host who entered Illinois politics as Darren Bailey’s Republican running mate during the 2022 gubernatorial race. She was announced as Bailey’s choice for lieutenant governor in December 2021 and campaigned on conservative values and grassroots outreach. Trussell has been recognized as a prominent Black conservative voice within Illinois politics.