Public Education
âAfter generations of failure,â Illinois Rep. Ford hoping to see Chicago Public Schools improve(The Center Square) â A new Public Agenda poll finds that most city residents don’t think Chicago Public Schools students are learning enough, with most of the blame tied to the… Read More
Government
Illinois House passes bill to addresses rise in AI-generated nude photos of students(The Center Square) â Illinois lawmakers are addressing a growing form of cyberbullying in schools involving artificial intelligence. The House passed House Bill 299 that would amend the Illinois… Read More
Government
Illinois legislators approve plan to assess mental health screenings in public schools(The Center Square) â Illinois public schools are one step closer to universal mental health screenings for students. The Illinois House passed Senate Bill 726 which directs the Illinois State… Read More
Christian Schools
Fire destroyed this churchâs building. But it sparked the launch of a Christian school in central IllinoisA dream in April 2023 caused Ed Herald to believe God was calling him to start a Christian school â even though his churchâs building had been destroyed by fire… Read More
Government
Taxpayer funds for homeless new arrival students included in grant expansion(The Center Square) â Illinois House Bill 5407, subject to appropriation, expands the permitted uses of funds received from the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State… Read More
Government
Illinois bill would criminalize sexual relationships between teachers and their 18-year-old students(The Center Square) â In Illinois, it is not illegal for an educator or staff member to have a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student, but some Republican lawmakers want to… Read More
Public Education
âNormal annual allotment of 108 sick daysâ: Illinois community outraged over superintendentâs exorbitant benefitsCritics are demanding an explanation from an Illinois school board after discovering the superintendent gets 108 days of paid sick leave every year. The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7… Read More
Government
Illinois bill would ban corporal punishment in private schools(The Center Square) â A measure advancing in Illinois seeks to ban corporal punishment in all private schools. Opponents are concerned the measure could be misinterpreted and school coaches asking… Read More
Government
Education expert analyzes Invest in Kidsâ record-breaking numbers for final year(The Center Square) â Despite record-breaking enrollment for its final year, Illinois lawmakers have yet to address the expired Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program. There were rumblings that the… Read More
Government
Illinois legislators: Proposed race-based funding formula for universities could violate civil rights(The Center Square) â Illinois Senate Republicans are urging for a subject matter hearing on Illinoisâ ambitious plan for higher education funding, a plan that was revealed in March. … Read More
Courts
Former student files lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools over administrator who allegedly impregnated her twice, coerced abortionsA former student has taken legal action against Chicago Public Schools (CPS), accusing the district of neglecting to safeguard her from years of alleged abuse by a high-ranking administrator. The… Read More
Public Education
Leaked document details Chicago Teachers’ Unionâs radical, left-wing demands costing $50 billionA leaked document from the Chicago Teachers Union details its bargaining demands, including full abortion coverage, carbon neutral schools, and paid leave for victims of verbal assault on social media. … Read More
Public Education
Nonprofit set to get another $2M despite low reading, math proficiencies(The Center Square) â A state lawmaker says the use of taxpayer dollars on Teach For America is a waste. The nonprofit teacher development group is seeking more money amid low… Read More
Public Education
School board member asked to resign after allegedly stealing wifeâs ex-husband’s identity to solicit women for sex on TinderAn Illinois school board member was asked to resign Monday after allegations he stole someoneâs identity to solicit sex on a dating app. Jason Farrell of the Moline-Coal Valley School… Read More
Opinion
Op-Ed: From Invest in Kids to divest in futures, Illinoisâ retreat from educational progress(The Center Square) â Illinois has made history, though a celebration is not in order. Defying the national trend, lawmakers disbanded the Invest in Kids Act, the stateâs popular tax… Read More
Public Education
Illinois superintendent faces backlash over handling of sexual abuse allegationsÂAn Illinois school board has placed the superintendent of Fenton Community High School District 100 in Bensenville on administrative leave over his handling of sexual abuse allegations. During a… Read More
Public Education
Chicago Teachers Union likely to lose vote it allegedly electioneered with public school studentsThe Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) appears to be heading to defeat in an election in which it allegedly violated ethics policies by using school resources, including students, to electioneer. With… Read More
Public Education
Watchdog files electioneering complaint against Chicago Teachers Union for using students in get-out-the-vote effortA policy group in Illinois filed an ethics complaint with the Inspector General of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) alleging violations of school district rules by using students for an upcoming… Read More
Public Education
Religious leader wants anti-violence efforts in Chicago schools(The Center Square) â Father Michael Pfleger worries Chicago city officialsâ recent decision to remove school resource officers from all Chicago Public Schools could have the opposite effect of whatâs… Read More
Government
Illinois’ ‘equitable’ funding report seeks $1.4 billion more for higher education(The Center Square) â Democrats unveiled a report that ultimately calls for Illinois taxpayers to pay $1.4 billion more to fund public universities. A Republican legislator questioned if that will… Read More