My Friend, Joe, and Plain Talk
- Jen McMillin
- Jul 21
- 6 min read
The Plain-Spoken Wisdom of Joe—and Why Sesame Street Still Matters
Welcome to Sunshine Strategies Radio—your weekly dose of family-friendly news and civic storytelling from the heart of Central Illinois! I’m Jen McMillin, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Each week, we break down the biggest headlines from around the country and right here at home, in a way that kids, parents, and grandparents can all understand. We also shine a light on the people and places working to make our communities stronger, kinder, and more democratic.
Sunshine Strategies is a local nonprofit dedicated to civic education, community building, and helping families take small actions that lead to big change. We believe democracy works best when it works for everyone—and that starts with understanding what’s happening and how we can get involved.
So grab a snack, gather the family, and let’s dive into this week’s stories!
A couple of Sundays ago, I caught myself scanning the room during an event. It’s a habit I’ve picked up over the years—looking for a familiar face when the stakes feel high. My friend Tracy was there. My kids stayed home.
But the person I was looking for? He wasn’t there.
I was looking for Joe Runyon.
Joe, with his flat-top haircut, his bibbed overalls, and that mischievous little smile that made you think he was about to hit you with some homespun truth. Joe, who passed away several years ago.
And yet, I still look for him.
Back in 2017, when I was running for Illinois State Rep, Joe was one of my donors, my Rotarian buddy, and eventually—a true friend. Over coffee at Lincoln College, he taught me lessons about service and community I carry to this day. He spoke plainly, without pretense. He knew what mattered because he’d lived through hardship.
One day, he stopped by my office and handed me a tiny political flyer—a daguerreotype of a mother running for school superintendent in central Illinois in the late 1800s. “Thought you’d like this,” he said.
It was his way of reminding me that public service isn’t new, and it isn’t glamorous. It’s hard work, it’s family sacrifice, and it’s about showing up for your neighbors.
Joe’s wisdom was simple, but it stuck: Be honest. Be kind. And fight for the people who can’t always fight for themselves.
Sesame Street’s Same Wisdom
What Joe taught me in his quiet way is the same wisdom generations of kids have learned sitting cross-legged in front of Sesame Street.
That kindness matters. That fairness matters. That telling the truth, even when it’s hard, matters.
For over 50 years, Sesame Street has been that same plain-spoken voice for millions of children—helping them navigate a complicated world with simple truths. It teaches kids how to count, how to read, how to love their neighbors, and yes, even how to cope with loss and change. It does it without cynicism or hidden agendas—just the radical belief that children deserve a fair shot at becoming good humans.
When I look at the kids in my community—kids growing up in Lincoln, Illinois, in rural towns that are often overlooked—I can’t help but think: they deserve that, too.
Why This Funding Cut Hurts
So when I heard that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is facing devastating funding cuts, my heart sank. Because I know exactly who will lose the most.
It won’t be the kids in wealthy suburbs with private tutors and endless streaming subscriptions. It will be the kids in communities like ours—where public broadcasting is often one of the few free, reliable sources of educational content.
Joe would’ve seen it for what it is: a decision that hurts the people who need help the most. And he’d say it plainly, without mincing words: This is wrong.
Because this isn’t just about television. It’s about trust. It’s about giving every child—no matter their zip code—a chance to learn, to dream, and to grow into someone who will one day fight for their neighbors, too.
Fighting for the Next Generation
When I stand up for events like the one we hosted Sunday, I think about Joe. I think about how proud he’d be that we’re still fighting for people like him—and for the next generation coming up behind us.
And I think about Sesame Street, teaching those same lessons with colorful puppets and catchy songs, planting seeds of kindness in millions of little hearts.
We can’t afford to lose that. Not now. Not ever.
If Joe were here, I know exactly what he’d tell me: Don’t let them take it without a fight.
So here’s my plain-spoken truth: Funding for public broadcasting is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline. And we owe it to our kids—and to neighbors like Joe—to fight for it.
Here’s What You Can Do
Call or write your members of Congress. Tell them to protect funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Be clear: rural communities, working families, and kids who rely on free, trusted programming like PBS and Sesame Street will be hurt the most if these cuts happen.
Support your local PBS station. Here in Illinois, that might mean WSIU or WILL-TV. Local stations run on tight budgets, and even small donations help keep educational programming on the air.
Talk about it. Share why public broadcasting matters—to your kids, your grandkids, your classroom, your community. The more we tell these stories, the harder it becomes for lawmakers to ignore what’s at stake.
Joe always said that community is built in small, steady acts of care. This is one of those moments.
Let’s fight for this together.
Alright - now onto the news!
🌐 National Headlines
1. Supreme Court Clears Way to Gut Education Department (July 14) The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with layoffs of 1,400 employees within the Department of Education and frozen $6.8 billion in school funding. Justice Sotomayor warned of the loss of civil rights safeguards in school environments The Guardian. Why families should care:
Disruptions in civil rights enforcement may leave vulnerable students without support.
Watch for cuts to Title I, special education, and protections against discrimination.
2. Expanded Child Tax Credit on the Horizon The newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” will raise the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child annually—up $200—and introduce a $1,000 “Baby Trump Account” at birth ($5,000 annual contributions allowed) The Sun+1Wikipedia+1. Why families should care:
A significant financial boost available starting in 2026.
Planning now—looking into eligibility, and preparing Schedule 8812 for tax filing—is key.
3. House Approves $9 billion in Cuts to Public Broadcasting & Foreign Aid On July 17, the House advanced a measure to reclaim $9 billion, targeting PBS and NPR alongside foreign aid programs The SunThe Guardian+2AP News+2Wikipedia+2. Why families should care:
Local PBS and NPR stations may lose funding, affecting educational programming for children.
Reduced access to free, trusted learning content in homes and classrooms.
🏠 Illinois Spotlight
1. Grave Allegations in Juvenile Detention Centers Illinois is facing lawsuits from over 900 survivors alleging sexual abuse in juvenile detention from the mid-1990s to 2018 across multiple facilities chicagoparent.com AP News. Why families should care:
Shows the need for increased oversight and transparency in youth facilities.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to advocate for accountability and support for victims.
2. Controversy over Public Broadcasting Cuts Impacting Illinois Illinois families may see local PBS-affiliated stations affected by federal cuts facebook.com+14AP News+14AP News+14democracynow.org+4AP News+4dcfs.illinois.gov+4. Why families should care:
These stations broadcast educational and children’s programming many families rely on.
Supports for public media may need backing at the state and federal level.
📝 What Parents Can Do Now
Stay Informed & Involved
Track federal education policy through state education board communications.
Contact senators and representatives about safeguarding school rights and public media funding.
Plan Finances Around the New CTC
Start preparing by gathering dependent documentation; review IRS guidelines now.
Support Youth Advocacy & Oversight
Encourage Illinois policymakers to address abuses and improve child protection in juvenile systems.
Amplify Local Public Broadcasting
Consider donating to PBS/NPR affiliates or participating in community advisory boards to keep them funded.
That’s it for this week on Sunshine Strategies Radio! Thanks for spending a little time with us learning, laughing, and thinking about how we can build a brighter future—together.
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Until next time, keep learning, keep caring, and keep shining your light.
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