Last year, Noble Schools was more active than ever in Springfield to advocate for our schools, students, staff, and families. Our CEO, Constance Jones, and the Government & Community Affairs team, alongside parents and students, showed up consistently to talk to legislators. This year, we’re hoping to keep up the energy as we continue to fight for fully funded Illinois schools, charter school protections, and other initiatives that will support and uplift our students and families.
One of our biggest advocacy days is our annual Lobby Day in May. We sat down with Jones to hear about how the last Lobby Day went, why Noble is committed to this kind of advocacy, and what we’re asking for from our legislators for this upcoming school year. Check it out:
Q: Can you tell us a bit about what you were doing that day?
A: “When I go down to Springfield, I’m doing everything I can to make sure I’m advocating on behalf of the students and families and staff that I serve. So, I got on the road at 5:45 in the morning, arrived in Springfield, met with our internal Noble team to prep for the rest of the day, and then headed off to the Capitol for our first meeting.
Before noon, we had already met with a slew of legislators, either through formal meetings that were scheduled or informal meetings. So, I was hustling… We then had the {Evidence-Based Funding} rally in partnership with Funding Illinois’ Future, so in the midst of hustling and trying to meet with all the folks on my list, I was also making sure to prep my talking points for that. I also did my best to show gratitude to the parents and alumni who were there and just tried to ensure they were having a great experience, so I was talking with them. I was firing from all cylinders.”
Q: How do you feel about how your meetings with legislators went?
A: “I left on a high; I left feeling like we had a very successful day. For example, we were able to meet with Representative Margaret Croke. I’d never met her in person before, but I’d read a lot about her, of course, because she introduced this bill to protect school choice here in Chicago. And I was blown away by her. She is a phenomenal leader. That conversation really energized me.
It energizes me to have conversations with all these legislators and meet them wherever they are on the spectrum of understanding our work and how Noble is such a critical part in education not just in Chicago but in the state of Illinois as one of the largest charter networks. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention how I started my day meeting with Senate President Harmon and how that’s a pretty big deal. It says a lot for us at Noble to have access to someone of his high regard and be able to share our perspective on key issues that are percolating throughout Springfield.
It was a very successful trip. I left feeling great, energized, and accomplished—we did great work for our students and families and staff.”
Jones giving a speech at the rally for Evidence-Based Funding for Illinois schools.
Q: What goals did you have going to Springfield?
A: “My biggest goal always is to ensure that we are protecting charter freedoms and funding, as well as proactively advocating for freedoms and funding that serve all schools well. So, one of the big messages right now is Evidence-Based Funding so we can ensure that Chicago Public Schools—because we’re part of CPS—get increased funding so we can better serve our students and families.
Also, we never miss an opportunity to continually inform {legislators} of our work so that we are proactively building relationships. I will always talk to whoever wants to hear what we’ve got to say because you never know when you might need to call on that relationship in the future. So, I’m always out there trying to spread the good word—that’s certainly a goal of mine.
I also wanted to make sure that charters were and continue to be included in this bill, which says that there will be no school closures until the fully elected school board in 2027. You know, it’s very important for us to have the same assurances that selective enrollment schools and magnet schools have, so that was also a very key focus on my day.”
Q: Why is it important for you and other Noble community members to show up in Springfield?
A: “It’s important for us to be at the table and to make sure that we are controlling the narrative versus having a narrative control us. You know, for far too long in the city and in the state, charters have been on the defense because someone will put out something about us that’s completely false. And if you are not at the table, if you are not putting the right message out there, the people will believe whatever negative, untrue message others are saying about us. So, I am bullish about making sure that people know the great work that our teachers and staff are leading with our students and families every single day. Even though it is hard because I often have other priorities that are going on within Noble that need my attention, I make it a priority so Noble has a seat at the table…
It’s particularly important for our students, families, staff, and alumni to show up because they are the greatest testament to our work. You know, people sometimes will say, ‘She’s the CEO. Of course, she’s going to talk positively about her schools.’ So, the greatest testament to our work is the words of the folks who have actually experienced our schools from the inside. Our parents are able to do that in a way that I cannot, and our students are able to do that in a way that I cannot—our alumni, teachers, and staff, too. It rounds out the picture of who we are and our impact when we have the various stakeholders that we serve at the table.”
Jones and Noble parents met with Representative Kam Buckner in his office to talk about EBF.
Jones, Noble parents, alumni, and staff all attended a rally outside the Capitol building to advocate for EBF.
Q: What do you want legislators to know about Noble Schools?
A: “I want legislators to know that Chicago and our state need Noble. We are larger than many school districts throughout the state. We’re essentially a school district within a school district (CPS). Therefore, if this city and state are committed to ensuring that students have a high-quality public school education, there’s not a world where we don’t exist. What does it look like for us to be an important element of our city’s success? It looks like graduating thousands of students every year and providing them with the opportunity to attend college, oftentimes debt-free, because of our rigorous and ambitious efforts to make sure that our students get scholarships and grants. It looks like our students being able to go off and attend college, graduate, and lead choice-filled lives. Our legislators need to know that. They need to know the profound impact that we have on our city and state; they need to know our results—which is why we’re in Springfield.”
Q: What do you want to invite legislators to do to support our students and families?
A: “First of all, we always invite them to have a conversation with us if they have questions or concerns. There are many people to reach out to at Noble—myself included—as well as our Public Affairs team and our family members. One of the most harmful things that can happen is when people make conclusions based on misinformation or just a lack of understanding of the work we do. So, we want them to keep the lines of communication open.
The other thing is just to come to our schools—whether it’s to attend a graduation and be in that incredible moment with our students, families, and staff or if it’s scheduling a school visit. Legislators can also join us on our first day of school, which is a really joyful, fun time. All of these are great ways for them to learn more about us and start building relationships with our schools.”
