In today’s Leading News, read the latest on providing meals before, during, and after school. Also in the news, 16 public schools earned the Governor’s Blue Ribbon School award in the program’s second year.

Illinois reveals new income guidelines to qualify for free, reduced-price meals at childcare programs
Jessie Molloy, Shaw Local Media, October 20

RB student questions lunch policies: But school lunch cost and portion sizes unlikely to change
Gregg Voss, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, October 20

CPS reaches tentative agreement with lunchroom workers union
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, October 20

Free school lunch is no longer on the menu for many kids. It's one of many strains on cafeterias
Peter Medlin, NPR/Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, October 19

Gov. Pritzker Announces 2026 Governor's Blue Ribbon Schools
CBS 2, Chicago, October 20

In today’s Leading News, school districts seek community input on safety and security, referendums, and more.

Hinsdale High School District 86 seeks members for planning group
Pioneer Press, October 15

Oswego District 308 proposed building safety and security improvements focus of upcoming meeting
Eric Schelkopf, Shaw Local/Kendall County Now, October 13

Board approves student achievement goals, gets update on Roadmap process
Donnette Beckett, Decatur Herald and Review, October 14

Referendum campaign to host community Q&A Oct. 15
Herald-Whig, Quincy, October 13

Learn about St. Charles District 303’s $282.5 million referendum at open houses or webinars
Daily Herald, October 12

In today’s Leading News, districts address student growth and achievement. Schools, districts, and the IHSA respond to allegations of racial harassment. Also in the news, bees.

How do the candidates for president of Chicago’s school board plan to boost student achievement?
Kate Perez and Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, October 16

Fewer than half of East Aurora elementary and middle school students on track in reading and math, data shows
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, October 11

IHSA places Lincoln-Way East on probation over football game, cross country meet, racial harassment incidents
John Sahly, Shaw Local/Joliet Herald-News, October 16

Evanston, New Trier investigate reports of racist, homophobic slurs during football game at new Ryan Field
Chicago Sun-Times, October 18

Lincoln Junior High students named Pollinator Protectors of the Year for state bee project
Lonnie Morris, DuPage Monarch Project, The Daily Herald, October 7

In today’s Leading News, schools, students, dialogue, and citizenship. Also in the news, three students and a teacher have died after an elementary school shooting in Bend, Oregon.

Community group looks to generate “good dialogue” on school sales tax issue
 Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, October 15

‘Teen Takeover for Democracy’ draws election officials to Oak Park and River Forest High School
Cam'ron Hardy, Pioneer Press, October 16

In Southwest Side school board race, a teenager takes on a Chicago police detective
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, October 16

District 58 to hold informational forum for potential school board candidates
Shaw Local News, October 14

Teen shooter kills 4 at Oregon elementary school before being shot by a witness
AP/Chicago Sun-Times, October 16

In today’s Leading News, contract talks in Summit Hill SD 161 and Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3. Tech headlines include cell phones in Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD 429 and data centers statewide. Also in the news, a Carbondale CHSD 165 team marks 20 years on the sidelines.

7 Months In, Summit Hill 161 Teachers & Board Of Education Still Negotiating For Contract
Lauren Traut, Mokena Patch, October 8

Mahomet-Seymour board four-year contract with union
Dani Tietz, Mahomet Daily, October 14

In the age of AI and social media, one west suburban school district goes analog
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, October 12

Optimistic data-center report met with criticism
Maggie Dougherty, Ben Szalinski, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, October 2

CCHS chain gang looks to life beyond football
Shawn A. Akers, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, October 14

In today’s Leading News, read about facility plans from districts around the state. Also in the news, student voice meets CPS candidates in a Wednesday forum.

Moline Coal Valley School Board requesting state historic designation for Wharton Field House
Brady Johnson, WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, October 13

School Board approves bid for high school HVAC project
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, September 30

Unit 5 hires design firm for early learning, transitional program buildings
Drew Zimmerman, The Pantagraph, September 18

District 65 proposes closure of Lincolnwood, Dewey, end of SACC program and Head Start provided by district
Hope Perry and Macy Millones, Evanston Roundtable, October 13

What do students want from a CPS School Board president? Tune in for the debate
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times, October 14

In today’s Leading News, suburban districts make plans and make room for shifting student populations. Also in the news, CPS committees are in action ahead of the district’s first full election in November.

Plainfield approves plan for new subdivision near Plainfield North High School
Eric Schelkopf, Shaw Local/Joliet Herald-News, September 28

Judge grants temporary halt to District 47 action on school boundary changes
Michelle Meyer, Shaw Local/Northwest Herald, October 5

Why District 21 is halting redistricting plan
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, September 28

At long last, Chicago school board puts its committees to work
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, October 8

Chicago School Board Election 2026: The citywide race for president
Mila Koumpilova and Sarah Karp, WBEZ/Chalkbeat Chicago, September 24

In today’s Leading News, students walk out in support of abuse victims. Also in the news, an agreement in Cahokia Unit SD 187.

Hundreds of Lincoln Park High students walk out in solidarity with Jane Doe in Cornell rape case
Misha Manjuran Oberoi, Chicago Sun-Times, October 8

‘We need to be speaking out’: High school, college students across Illinois protest sexual violence
Kate Perez, Allison Kiehl, and Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, October 8

‘We need to start to protect children’: Lawmaker calls for closing ‘loophole’ after teacher arrests
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune/Daily Herald, September 30

To protect students, PBL schools to require ID from visitors, mandated reporter training for subs, volunteers
Will Brumleve, Ford County Chronicle, September 17

Cahokia teachers approve new contract to avert strike
Katie Grawitch, St. Louis Public Radio/Belleville News Democrat, October 8

In today’s Leading News, education issues making a national splash these days include AI, book bans, the first CPS school board election, and a next-level, all-girls robotics team from Neuqua Valley High School and Indian Prairie CUSD 204.

Schools are experimenting with AI with little evidence or policy to guide them
Lee V. Gaines, NPR, September 28

Helpful or harmful? When it comes to AI and young kids, experts have these tips for parents
Hannah Grabenstein, PBS, October 5

What you need to know about Chicago’s historic school board election
Becky Vevea, Makiya Seminera, and Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, September 21

PEN America: Nearly 12,000 school book bans in a year, a record high
Hillel Italie, Associated Press, October 5

‘It was an insane feeling’: Naperville-based, all-girls robotics team headed to international competition
Carolyn Stein | Naperville Sun/Daily Herald, September 25

In today’s Leading News, there is a lot of listening going on in schools and communities.

District 97 students petition School Board: Bring back recess
Cam'ron Hardy, Pioneer Press, October 5

Head Start preschools serve parents, too. Under Trump, advocates fear that will change
Moriah Balingit, AP/Alton Telegraph, September 28

District 63 officials asking residents for permission to borrow $120.6 million
Russell Lissau, Daily Herald, October 5

Mental health screening: “We don’t want anybody to fall through the cracks”
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, September 26

School of Music hosts high school music students for SIU Brass, Woodwind Day, Oct. 1
Pete Rosenbery, The Southern Illinoisan, September 29

In today’s Leading News, read about the U.S. Treasury’s proposed rules for the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program, and what’s next for states, like Illinois, that have not committed. Also in the news, districts connect with their communities.

New Rules for Federal School Choice: What You Need to Know
Arianna Prothero, Mark Lieberman & Matthew Stone, Education Week, October 1

Education tax credit rules are here. Will they lure Democratic governors off the fence?
Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, October 2

District 161 begins strategic planning process with focus on community input
Jon Banister, Homewood Flossmoor Chronicle, October 2

Yorkville School District 115 superintendent highlights overcrowding solutions at State of the District
Joey Weslo, Shaw Local/Kendall County Now, October 3

Pikeland CUSD 10 to hold town hall on facilities, funding
KHQA, Quincy, October 1

In today’s Leading News, Cahokia Unit SD 187 teachers have rejected last week’s tentative agreement with the district. Read more coverage of school district budgets. Also in the news, thinking about food.

Cahokia teachers reject tentative agreement with school district
Hiba Ahmad, St. Louis Public Radio

Centralia High School passes budget with deficit
Austin Williams, WJBD, Salem, September 29

Waukegan school board approves budget with $30M deficit: ‘You have to make up that money somehow’
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, October 1

How a Chicago educator uses food to teach science thanks to Pilot Light, a local chef-led nonprofit
Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, September 29

Evanston Grows to supply kale, salad mix, romaine, parsley to ETHS
Margo Milanowski, Evanston Roundtable, September 26

In today’s Leading News, budget decisions across the state. Also in the news, cancellations in CPS due to a referee strike over payment.

MVTHS Approves Final FY27 District Budget
Travis Morse, Morning Sentinel, Centralia, September 23

At risk of running out of money next year, Prairie Grove District 46 eyes cuts, tax increase
Michelle Meyer, Shaw Local Media, September 24

Salem Community High School Board passes $14.4-million budget
Austin Williams, WJBD, Salem, September 22

Decatur Public Schools board approves deficit budget
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, September 24

Kankakee School Board touts balanced 2027 budget while rebuilding reserves
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, September 21

CPS cancels multiple football, volleyball and flag football games after referees strike over nonpayment
Michael O’Brien. Chicago Sun-Times, September 30