ACT Now Appeals Full-Service Community Schools Decision to the Seventh Circuit, Seeks Reversal of Decision that Eliminated School Funding
For Immediate Release:
July 14, 2026
Contact:
Emma Giamberdino, ACT Now Illinois
spencere@actnowillinois.org | (312) 877-0276
Zindy Marquez, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
zmarquez@clccrul.org | (312) 202-3657
**Media Interviews Available Upon Request**
ACT Now Appeals Full-Service Community Schools Decision to the Seventh Circuit, Seeks Reversal of Decision that Eliminated School Funding
CHICAGO —Afterschool for Children and Teens Now (ACT Now) today announced that it has filed a Notice of Appeal challenging the unlawful termination and non-continuation of federal Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grants that support critical services for students, families, and communities across Illinois and the nation.
The appeal challenges actions by the U.S. Department of Education that abruptly discontinued funding Congress authorized to strengthen community schools through integrated student supports, expanded learning opportunities, family engagement services, mental health resources, attendance initiatives, and partnerships connecting schools with community-based organizations. The appeal comes after the District Court denied ACT Now’s motion for preliminary injunction.
"Every day this funding remains unavailable, children and families lose access to services that help students succeed in school and in life," said Susan Stanton, Executive Director of ACT Now. "The harm is immediate, ongoing, and irreparable. Schools and nonprofit partners are being forced to delay services, reduce staffing, suspend programming, and scale back support for students who need it most."
ACT Now argues that the federal government's actions are unlawful and contrary to congressional intent. The organization maintains that the Department lacked authority to terminate or discontinue these grants in the manner it did and failed to follow the legal requirements governing federal grant administration.
“The district court’s ruling is not the end of this fight,” said Michael Ortega, program counsel at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. “We cannot allow 19,000 students across the state to be left without the community of support they had been relying on for more than two years. We are hopeful the appeals court will recognize this and grant necessary relief.”
“By filing this appeal today, we are aggressively pursuing the best path forward for ACT Now Illinois and the students they serve across the state,” said Josie Eskow Skinner, Partner at Sligo Law Group. “Full-Service Community Schools have been proven to improve student outcomes, and ACT Now saw that positive impact in their schools. We will use this appeal to hold the Department of Education accountable and protect these critical services.”
“Dismissing this case has immediate and harmful consequences for students and families, disrupting services and undermining educational opportunities for those who depend on them most,” said Alec Solotorovsky, Partner at Eimer Stahl LLP. “While we are frustrated by the lower court’s ruling, we look forward to presenting our case to the appellate court.”
The consequences are already being felt in communities that rely on Full-Service Community Schools funding to provide coordinated supports for students and families. Without these resources, school districts and community partners face uncertainty regarding staffing, student services, family outreach, community partnerships, and long-term planning.
"When community schools lose funding, it is students who bear the consequences," Stanton said. "Children lose access to tutoring, mental health supports, family engagement programs, attendance interventions, and other services that help remove barriers to learning. Those lost opportunities cannot simply be restored months or years later."
ACT Now is asking the Seventh Circuit to expedite consideration of the case given the significant public interest and ongoing injury to students and families. ACT Now remains committed to defending Full-Service Community Schools and ensuring that students, families, educators, and community partners receive the support and opportunities Congress intended these grants to provide.
ACT Now Illinois is represented in the case by Sligo Law Group PLLC, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and Eimer Stahl LLP. The case is Afterschool for Children and Teens Now (ACT Now) Coalition and Metropolitan Family Services v. U.S. Department of Education, No. 1:25-cv-15704.
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ACT Now is a statewide coalition supported by afterschool providers, families, business leaders, school districts, community advocates, youth organizations, and policymakers.