Story perspectives

Judge Orders Reinstatement of $10M Mental Health Grants

2/19/2026

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Judge Restores Grants

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump terminated more than $10 million in mental health grants for Illinois school districts.
A federal judge ruled the cancellations unlawful and ordered the funds reinstated.
Illinois schools face a severe mental health shortage, with a co-op reporting nearly 1,000 students per psychologist.
Some districts hired staff without the grants, but many expansions fell through as discussions on continuation proceed.

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Education Department Reforms

The U.S. Department of Education plans to revise race-based eligibility criteria for federal student grants, including the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.
The Young America's Foundation (YAF) accused the Department of racial discrimination in 2024, prompting a lawsuit from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL).
The Trump administration agreed to eliminate Biden-era rules favoring underrepresented groups, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon asserting that race quotas for federal funding are unconstitutional.
The McNair program allocates $60 million annually, mainly benefiting low-income, first-generation college students.

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Judge Restores Grants

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump terminated more than $10 million in mental health grants for Illinois school districts.
A federal judge ruled the cancellations unlawful and ordered the funds reinstated.
Illinois schools face a severe mental health shortage, with a co-op reporting nearly 1,000 students per psychologist.
Some districts hired staff without the grants, but many expansions fell through as discussions on continuation proceed.

1 / 2