Resolute Consulting was retained by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to organize an integrated media and grassroots campaign to pressure state lawmakers to fully fund education for Illinois children.
Resolute developed a campaign that produced a drumbeat of media coverage attributing CPS funding issues to Springfield's lack of action. Resolute then worked with school district superintendents to generate media attention in every major market in the state so lawmakers would feel pressure in their home districts. To supplement the media campaign, Resolute enacted an aggressive grassroots Internet campaign allowing concerned individuals throughout the state to send lawmakers and local media outlets e-mails calling for more school funding. Once the State Assembly was in session, Resolute drove home the point by coordinating a media tour across the state culminating with a rally at the state capital in Springfield.
The campaign resulted in more than 15,000 e-mails calling for more education funding being sent to state lawmakers and hundreds to media outlets across the state, more than 30,000 forms filled out by CPS parents calling for more funding being delivered to the Governor and a significant number of print and broadcast clips being generated. Ultimately, the General Assembly more than doubled the amount of new money for schools in Illinois, totaling $315 million.