Kevin Bessler

Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.

Legislation
School choice group says Illinois parents in limbo with fate of Invest in Kids program unknown

(The Center Square) – Nearly 10,000 scholarship recipients and their families face uncertainty after Illinois lawmakers failed to extend the Invest in Kids program.  The program, which grants tax credits… Read More

June 19, 2023
Legislation
Illinois law now requires schools to report bullying to parents within 24 hours

(The Center Square) – Illinois school officials are now required to notify parents and guardians of any cases of bullying within a 24-hour period. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure… Read More

June 16, 2023
Public Education
Pritzker signs law stripping funding from libraries that restrict access to controversial books

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday signed into law a measure that withholds state funding from any of the state’s 1,600 public or school libraries that remove books… Read More

June 13, 2023
Culture, Public Education
Report: schools tossing Chromebooks designed to expire after four years

(The Center Square) – A new report has found that the millions of taxpayer-funded Chromebooks that flooded schools during the pandemic are being discarded because of their expiration dates. Read More

April 25, 2023
Public Education
Illinois school officials are requesting funding that tops $10 billion

(The Center Square) – Illinois school officials have made a budgetary request of more than a half billion dollars in additional funding than last year. The Illinois State Board… Read More

April 14, 2023