Public Education
Judge denies Chicago Public Schools’ attempt to commandeer charter schoolsChicago Public Schools’ campaign to take over two charter schools has been shot down in court. CPS has been trying to close two charter schools run by Urban… Read More
Public Education
Thousands on waiting list as Illinois school choice program set to expire(The Center Square) – Republican state Rep. Blaine Wilhour says there’s a reason why parents came out in support of the Invest in Kids scholarship by a nearly 3-1… Read More
Culture
Freedom Caucus calls for Illinois public libraries to withdraw from American Library Association(The Center Square) – Some Illinois Republicans want public libraries in the state to withdraw from the American Library Association. Public libraries have been a hotly debated topic… Read More
Illinois
Amid push to raise Illinois’ wage for tipped workers, study shows servers’ tips would decrease(The Center Square) – As the calls for raising the tipped minimum wage grow louder in Illinois, a new study reveals raising the tipped minimum wage has a significant negative impact… Read More
Illegal Immigration
Illinois law prohibits landlords from refusing to rent or sell property to undocumented migrants(The Center Square) – Illinois landlords will soon be required to rent or sell property to undocumented migrants. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, protections go into place in… Read More
Public Education
Children’s hospital agreed to pay employee to give ‘drag performance’ to school kids(Daily Caller News Foundation) – A Chicago children’s hospital agreed to pay one of its employees to give a drag performance at a public school event for students, according… Read More
Education, Illinois
‘Districts are not being honest’: Critics argue Illinois graduation rates hide unprepared students(The Center Square) – Illinois saw its highest graduation rate in more than a decade last year, according to the Illinois Report Card. Yet critics are wondering if the… Read More
Culture
Children’s hospital charges schools thousands for trainings on how to teach about gender identity(Daily Caller News Foundation) – An Illinois children’s hospital is charging school districts thousands of dollars for a sex education workshop that features lessons on how to teach kids… Read More
Illinois
Illinois measure makes noncitizens’ driver’s licenses same as citizens’(The Center Square) – A bill queued for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk would modify Illinois’ driver’s licenses for noncitizen migrants to be similar to all other standard state IDs. … Read More
Public Education
Audit of the Illinois State Board of Education shows continued problems(The Center Square) – Overstating its budget, failure to properly audit license requirements and other reporting issues are all listed in an Illinois Auditor General report of the Illinois… Read More
Government
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… Read More
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… Read More
Government
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… Read More
Illinois
Census data contradicts Pritzker’s claims that Illinois is growing(The Center Square) – Illinois residents continue to leave the state, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. One analyst says some residents are going for warmer weather,… Read More
Government
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. Read More
Economy, Illinois
Illinois hotels continue to struggle hiring and retaining workers(The Center Square) – As the hotel industry continues to rebound from the crippling COVID-19 pandemic, worker shortages remain a challenge.The hotel industry is making a push to… 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… 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… Read More
Government
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… Read More
Government
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