In today’s Leading News, McLean Co USD 5 receives a grant for expanding news literacy. Minooka CCSD 201 refreshes its capital plan. Palatine CCSD 15 is selling bonds for building repairs. Jersey CUSD 100 students are receiving over $1 million in scholarships. Also in the news, Chicago Public Schools restores funding for instructional support for students with disabilities.

Unit 5 receives $30,000 grant to expand news literacy instruction 
Braden Fogerson, WGLT, April 13

Minooka Elementary District 201 refreshes capital plan 
Dave Edlin, Shaw Local/Morris Herald News, April 15

District 15 to sell $26 million in bonds for building repairs, discusses more borrowing 
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, April 12

Jersey School Board hears student achievements, active shooter drill report 
Steve Whitworth, Alton Telegraph, April 16

CPS restores disability support funding in Catholic schools 
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, April 16

In today’s Leading News, Quincy SD 172 names a new superintendent. Indian Prairie SD 204 reviews high school course offerings. Illinois House revives the school cell phone ban. The new Regional Superintendent for Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler counties looks to continue his predecessor’s legacy. Also in the news, ‘Belonging begins with Belleville’ program enters its fifth year.

Larry Gray to become Quincy superintendent 
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, April 17

District 204 reviewing high school courses, looking at new textbooks and honors designation next school year 
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, April 8

Illinois House revives school cellphone ban; bill awaits scrutiny in Senate 
Matt Trunfio, Chicago Sun-Times, April 17 
 
New regional superintendent looks to be “North Star” for ROEs, districts 
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 1 

‘Belonging begins with Belleville’: Cities in Harmony bridges schools, community 
Madison Lammert, Belleville News-Democrat, April 20

In today’s Leading News, read the latest on celebrating teachers and students around Illinois.

‘Truly changes lives’: Naperville Central’s Brady named Illinois Teacher of the Year 
Rick West, Daily Herald, April 16

207 students from 21 schools honored at Silver Medallion Academic Excellence Banquet 
Chase Martin, Alton Telegraph, April 17

Celebrating National Poetry Month with another Quad-Cities high school poet 
Cesar Toscano, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, April 17

100-year celebration planned for Thompson Middle School in St. Charles 
Joey Weslo, Kane County Chronicle, April 12

CPS grads are earning biliteracy seals in record numbers, bringing pride and job benefits for many
Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, April 13

In today’s Leading News, read the latest on national headlines with local education impacts.

Chicago’s school board election is coming. Here’s what to know and what’s at stake.
Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, April 16

Will this be the year the state legislature approves a cellphone ban in schools?
Sam Freeman, NPR Illinois, April 14

‘Tiptoe and Be Delicate’: How Educators Are Cautiously Broaching the Iran War
Jennifer Vilcarino, Education Week, April 16

Amid artificial intelligence explosion, lawmakers debate best path to regulate
Jenna Schweikert, Capitol News Illinois, April 15

Why several northern Illinois schools are cutting staff and reckoning with multi-million-dollar budget deficits
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, April 16

In today’s Leading News, ISBE has approved changes to the state’s school accountability system. Hamilton CCSD 328 offers guidance to students interested in teaching careers. Rockford CUSD 205 discusses personnel cuts. DeKalb CUSD 428 approves stipends. Also in the news, Decatur SD 61 fifth-graders get a look at Illinois history.

Illinois education officials vote to overhaul accountability for schools
Reema Amin, Chalkbeat Chicago, April 15

Hamilton students explore possibilities in teaching
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 10

Rockford Public Schools shares list of 110 jobs cut to balance budget
Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star, April 14

Stipends for some administrators in DeKalb schools approved
Megann Horstead, Shaw Loca/DeKalb Daily Chronicle, April 13

Fifth grade classes invited to Gov. Oglesby Mansion for play
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, April 8

In today’s Leading News, conversations about data centers and other tech topics.

Power, water and worry: How growing data center concerns are being addressed locally and statewide
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, April 7

Illinois lawmakers begin days of deep dives on data centers
Nikole Hytrek, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, April 8

Sangamon County Board approves a controversial data center project
Sean Crawford, NPR Illinois, April 7

No fee, essays or recommendations: Illinois high school students can use new program to apply to college
Shaw Local Media, Northern Illinois, March 26

Super SCREAM Bros robotics team is headed to the World Championship in April
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald & Review, April 10

In today’s Leading News, as ISBE presents its budget request to the state, school districts deal with budget concerns, including a response by CPS to accusations of withholding special education funding.

State education officials present $10.9B budget request to fund public schools
Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois, April 9

Carlock, Glenn schools to remain open in Unit 5 enrollment plan
Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, April 9

Valley View Board Authorizes Dismissal Of 34 Teachers
Andrea Earnest, Bolingbrook Patch, April 1

DeKalb School District 428 commits to ‘pumping the brakes’ on plan to reduce middle school class sizes
Megann Horstead, Shaw Local/DeKalb Daily Chronicle, April 12

Archdiocese accuses CPS of ending disability support funding in Catholic schools
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, April 10

In today’s Leading News, communities discuss the local impacts of data centers development. School districts make facilities improvement plans. Officials offer caution about springtime teen games. Also in the news, CPS student IDs will also be good for public library resources.

Illinois weighs new data center limits as massive projects reshape towns
Kelsey Rettke, Shaw Local Media, April 9

Bourbonnais school board OKs facility project bids
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, March 29

East Moline School Board approves Ridgewood playground equipment; presents other improvements
Cesar Toscano, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, April 4

‘Senior assassins’ game leads to lockdown of West Dundee school, disorderly conduct charge for teen
Susan Sarkauskas, Daily Herald, April 9 

CPS students can now access books, tutoring, other library services with just a student ID
Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, April 7

In today’s Leading News, the CPS board passes a resolution against the federal tax credit scholarship program. Freeport SD 145 schools turn to RIFs amid budget deficits. Belvidere CUSD 100 assesses discipline policies for technological advances. Niles THSD 219 receives honors for its unique Assyrian language program. Also in the news, Jersey CUSD 100 students find hands-on learning in makerspace program.

After debate, Chicago school board denounces Trump-backed push for school choice
Reema Amin, Chalkbeat Chicago, April 8

Dozens out of work after Freeport school district layoffs
Dillon Valencia, WREX, Rockford, April 8

Belvidere District 100 moves to modernize student behavior policies for the digital age
John Clark, WTVO, Rockford, April 3

After writing first-in-the-nation Assyrian language curriculum, Niles Township D219 gets award
Alexandra Murphy, Pioneer Press, Chicago suburbs, April 3

Jersey schools use makerspaces to build creativity and life skills
Chase Martin, Alton Telegraph, March 31

In today’s Leading News, a look at other states’ conversations on prohibiting cell phone use in the classroom.

Michigan lawmakers discuss new classroom cell phone ban with students
Martin Slagter, Michigan Advance, April 7

High school cell phone ban, need-based scholarship and literacy: Georgia education bills going to the governor’s desk
Meimei Xu, WABE, Atlanta, April 6

Tennessee elementary schools might limit classroom digital device use under pending law
Melissa Brown, Chalkbeat Tennessee, April 3

Massachusetts House to vote on social media ban for young minors, restrictions for cell phone in schools
Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, April 6

Where will students’ cell phones be kept once school starts in the fall?
Elaine Tassy, Colorado Public Radio, April 7

In today’s Leading News, troubling times for children and schools.

Vandalism causes Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5 to close Monday
Nick Gladney, Alex Barton, KTVI/KPLR, St. Louis, April 6

‘Disturbing incident’: Lake Zurich students created nude AI images of classmates, district says
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, April 3

Advocacy groups urge YouTube to protect kids from ‘AI slop’ videos
Kaitlyn Huamani, Associated Press/Chicago Tribune, April 1

Discipline for student walkouts: Southland administrators call it ‘a tough situation’
Olivia Stevens, Daily Southtown, March 30

No Credible Threat Found After Bomb Scare At Rochester High School
Leroy Kleimola, Taylorville Daily News, April 4

Bomb threat cancels class at Lincoln high school on first day back from spring break
Heather Robinson, WCIA, Champaign, April 7

In today’s Leading News, districts across the state seek input from their communities on locally pressing issues. Also in the news, Glenbard THSD 87 remembers and celebrates the legendary Lucas. 

La Salle- Peru High School to host public meeting on special education services
Mathias Woerner Shaw Local Media, Illinois Valley, April 3

Belvidere School District plans 3 public hearings to discuss possible Perry Elementary closure
Laura Neuzil, WIFR, Rockford, March 31

Pikeland launches work to build strategic plan
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 31

Carlock, Glenn closures on the table in finalized Unit 5 enrollment report
Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, March 19

‘That’s me!’: Glenbard West High School students make documentary about ‘Lucas’ 40 years later
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald, March 26

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of the aftermaths of two school bus tragedies. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley CUSD 5 reaches a collective bargaining agreement with its teachers. A study looks at property taxes in Cook County. Students Moline-Coal Valley SD 40 in will soon go to college for elementary school. 

Rockton student hit by car while boarding bus gets $52M settlement
Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star, March 27

Fatigue, prescription medication likely cause of deadly Rushville school bus crash, feds say
David C.L. Bauer, Jacksonville Journal-Courier/Decatur Herald and Review, March 25

New contract with GCMS teachers calls for ‘competitive compensation’
Will Brumleve, Ford County Chronicle, March 20

Property taxes, driven by TIF districts and school funds, outpace inflation and wages: county treasurer study
Nicole Jeanine Johnson and Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, March 31

Lincoln-Irving Elementary students and staff will move to WIU's Quad Cities campus starting April 7
Mikaela Schlueter, WQAD, Quad Cities, April 1

In today’s Leading News, Kankakee SD 111 shares its storm recovery stories. An agreement has been reached, keeping First Student buses on the road nationwide. Plainfield CCSD 202 looks at its grading system. Student concerns lead Mascoutah CUSD 19 to discuss bullying. Also in the news, tikes on bikes (with photos). 

Kankakee School Board reflects on storm impact, response
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, March 29

First Student school bus driver union reaches tentative agreement to continue servicing Illinois schools
Megann Horstead, Shaw Local/DeKalb Chronicle, April 1

Plainfield School District 202 to change high school grading system
Eric Schelkopf, Shaw Local/Joliet Herald-News, April 1

Bullying allegations at metro-east high school spark petition, district response
Madison Lammert, Belleville News-Democrat, March 26

Kindergartners learn to bike on new wheels at Chicago elementary school
Minju Park and Candace Dane Chambers, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, March 31

In today’s Leading News, read the latest on the Trump Administration’s Department of Education actions. 

Trump says the Education Department will shed oversight of student loans and special education
Collin Binkley, Associated Press, March 21

Trump Administration to Move Dept. of Ed. Out of Its Longtime Offices
Sean Cavanagh, Education Week, March 26

Urged to speak out, education researchers face a high-stakes choice
Future of federal research grants and statistical collections in limbo
Jill Barshay, Hechinger Report, March 30

Interagency agreements now number 10. Here are the details.
Kara Arundel, K-12 Dive, March 26

Trump pressured states to limit undocumented high school students’ access to career education programs
Matt Barnum and Lily Altavena, Chalkbeat, March 27

Frozen federal funds hit English learner programs; questions remain about funding for next year
Jessie Molloy, Shaw Local Media, Northern Illinois, March 21