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.

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
Culture
States with less restrictive COVID policies outperformed those with more restrictions, study shows

(The Center Square) – A new study is shedding light on the outcomes of states that placed restrictions on residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Paragon Health Institute… Read More

March 31, 2023
Government, Public Education
Lawmakers say educational investments are not paying off in Illinois

(The Center Square) – As Gov. J.B. Pritzker tours the state touting his proposed early childhood investments, some Republican lawmakers say taxpayers are not getting a good return for… Read More

February 23, 2023
Public Education
Legislation advances mandating Illinois schools teach sex ed in all grades

(The Center Square) – The battle over whether Illinois schools should adopt the National Sex Education Standards continues. Legislation in Springfield would mandate the standards for schools. Currently, school… Read More

January 9, 2023