For Immediate Release:
Sunday, December 21, 2025

Contact:
Erika Caldwell, Communications Director
press@ildcca.org

Mike Bost’s Christmas Cut: DuQuoin Kids Lose After-School Programs

Springfield, IL — News broke late last week that DuQuoin after-school programs will be abruptly halted due to multiple federal funding cuts enacted by the Trump administration, prompting immediate condemnation from the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) and President Mark Guethle.

Superintendent Diana Rea released a statement on December 17 announcing that, effective immediately, several high school clubs, tutoring supports, K–8 after-school programs, and related events will end and remain defunct for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year, urging parents and community members to voice their frustration to President Trump’s close ally in Illinois, Congressman Mike Bost. Unsurprisingly, Congressman Bost has remained silent — apparently content to let this particular Christmas surprise arrive without explanation.

Guethle said, “It’s a classic Scrooge story – children suffer at the hands of the cruelty and indifference of a rich old man — except there’s two in this story and I don’t see either of their hearts growing-three-sizes at the end. Trump and Bost,” he continued, “are old dogs who aren’t going to learn new tricks. They’ve always been about taking from everyday, working Illinoisans to give more and more to their billionaire cronies.”

Guethle pointed to this decision as part of a broader pattern, citing the “Big, Beautiful Bill” as the single greatest transfer of wealth from the poor, working, and middle class to billionaires. He said, “This is the real-world consequence of having Trumps and Bosts in power: billionaires head into the holidays knowing their tax bills will be smaller than ever next year, while school kids lose time with friends, fall behind in their studies, and watch their parents scramble to cover skyrocketing childcare costs. For many families,” he added, “this isn’t just a lump of coal in the stocking — it’s the lights going out entirely.”

Guethle continued, “Even if you think like the Grinch and set aside the emotions of the whole thing, these cuts make no sense for the future of our state or country. Trump and Bost,” he said, “are running around screaming ‘golden age, golden age’ while robbing your children of homework help, ACT prep, and tutoring — explain to me how under-educating the next generation creates a better economy. You can’t.”

“Working families don’t expect miracles at Christmas, but they do expect their leaders not to make life harder for their kids.” Guethle said, “This Christmas, let’s hope Santa brings DuQuoin someone better than Mike Bost.”

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