Culture
Illinois state agency hosting closed event to promote ‘Gender-Affirming Care for Youth’(The Center Square) – An Illinois state agency is hosting an internal event titled “Dispelling Myths Around Gender-Affirming Care For Youth.” A state senator has concerns about normalizing what he… Read More
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
Legislation
Illinois lawmakers, teachers’ unions are trying to kill a thriving school choice programThe Democratic-led Illinois Legislature is likely going to let the state’s main school choice program die despite the outcry from parents and school choice advocates. Invest… Read More
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
Public Education
Pritzker promotes early childhood education initiative; Republicans say it’s not sustainable(The Center Square) – Illinois will use $250 million in taxpayer funds for the Smart Start Program, which looks to make early childhood daycare and preschool more accessible for families… Read More
Legislation
Bill implementing full-day kindergarten in Illinois ready for governor’s desk as funding questions loom(The Center Square) – A measure that implements full-day kindergarten throughout Illinois is about to be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his signature. State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington… Read More
Legislation
Bullying notification bill clears Illinois Statehouse despite opposition from school associations(The Center Square) – A bill that passed the Illinois Legislature requires school principals to report bullying to parents within 24 hours. Some opponents say that is not feasible. Read More
Culture
Illinois measure would require ‘gender neutral’ bathrooms to remove ‘offensive’ urinals(The Center Square) – Lawmakers continue crafting a measure to allow public restrooms in Illinois to be converted to gender neutral multi-occupancy facilities. The House narrowly passed House… Read More
Legislation
Future uncertain for Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for private school tuition(The Center Square) – Whether Illinois legislators save the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program that is set to expire at the end of this year is still unknown. Read More
Public Education
Illinois lawmakers consider making full-day kindergarten mandatory(The Center Square) – A measure that passed the Illinois House would require school districts to implement full-day kindergarten across the state. State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights,… Read More
Culture, Public Education
High school accused of offering race-segregated math classes slapped with civil rights complaint(Daily Caller) – An Illinois high school has been accused of offering several math courses that are restricted to students based on their race, according to a civil rights complaint… Read More
Legislation
Poll finds most Illinois residents support school choice(The Center Square) – More than six out of every 10 Illinois voters support a system that includes school choice, with nearly 70% of all parents polled in the… Read More
Legislation, Public Education
Chicago Public Schools takes over successful charter school, which vows legal fight(The Center Square) – Nationally recognized Urban Prep Academy will now be under the control of the Chicago Public School system after state education officials rejected the nonprofit’s appeal of… Read More
Public Education
Demand for Illinois ag teachers is strong(The Center Square) – Illinois needs career-changers to teach ag courses in high school. The Land of Lincoln has always been an agricultural powerhouse. The state is working hard to… Read More
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
Culture, Public Education
Illinois reallocates $30 million of COVID-19 testing funds for classroom air purifiers(The Center Square) – Around $30 million has been designated to distribute 60,000 HEPA air purifiers in more than 3,000 Illinois schools across the state. Mike Claffey, of the Illinois… Read More
Culture
Grassroots education organizations pick up key school board wins in battleground states(Daily Caller) – Two grassroots organizations focused on parental rights in education saw several of their endorsed school board candidates pick up wins in key battleground states. Read More
Public Education
US high school students wrote gushing letters to Xi Jinping, Chinese state-media reports(Daily Caller) – Students at an Illinois high school were directed by their teacher to write gushing letters to China’s dictator, Chinese state media reported Wednesday. In 2019, students studying… Read More
Culture
Illinois Senate passes bill to allow AG to shut down ‘limited service pregnancy centers’(The Center Square) – After much debate on the Senate floor, Illinois lawmakers voted to approve a measure prohibiting limited service pregnancy centers from engaging in what the attorney general could… Read More
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