Recent drastic cuts to the Department of Education could have far-reaching effects on local school funding and services for vulnerable students, officials say. Why it matters: The city and state are struggling with education budgets at current levels.

The Trump administration has made it clear their goal is to dismantle the Department of Education entirely, and that is causing a lot of concern and fear among educators in Illinois.

Gov. JB Pritzker delivered more harsh criticism against President Donald Trump’s administration over attempts to drastically downsize, and possibly eliminate, the U.S. Department of Education.

The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

Sweeping layoffs announced this week are part of a dramatic downsizing of the Department of Education. Gov. JB Pritzker addressed the cuts at an education conference.

Gov. JB Pritzker warned at an Illinois Education Association convention Thursday that cuts to federal education funding could “damage the future of the people of Illinois,” shortly