In today’s Leading News, districts address situations related to student and staff safety.
Indian Prairie District 204 saw fewer aggression, technology-based student infractions last year, officials say
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, September 15
‘We know that trust isn’t restored by a statement’: District 128 pledges reforms after teacher grooming accusations
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune/Daily Herald, September 15
District Office staff relocated after Paris school district employee has ‘encounter’ with bat
Molly Sweeny, WCIA, Champaign, September 13
District 130 teachers, ex-custodians clash with board over school conditions after staffing change
Maher Kawash and Cate Cauguiran, WLS, Chicago, September 15
What school bus drivers want you to know about keeping kids safe
Brittany Blackwell, Troy Times Tribune, September 9
In today’s Leading News, contract talks reach a critical point in Cahokia Unit SD 187 and reach an agreement Fisher CUSD 1. THSD 214 (Arlington Heights) and Yorkville CUSD 115 discuss upcoming referendums. Also in the news, read about ISBE’s updated school meal eligibility requirements.
Teachers union in Cahokia school district authorizes strike if deal isn’t reached
Brian Heffernan, St. Louis Public Radio, September 12
Fisher school district, education association reach tentative agreement
Ethan Holesha, WCIA, Champaign, September 9
Behind the walls: District 214 invites residents to tour aging schools
Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, September 13
Yorkville school superintendent calls facilities plan under proposed $159M referendum a ‘good first step’
Joey Weslo, Shaw Local Media/Kendall County Now, September 9
Updated income eligibility guidelines set for school meals
Herald-Whig, Quincy, September 11
In today’s Leading News, read more media coverage of 9/11 observances and teaching. Also in the news, AI for and against in Chicago.
How teachers’ experiences inform lessons on a historic tragedy 25 years later
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, September 10
Teaching 9/11 changes as Central Illinois students grow more distant from the attacks
Kaitlyn Klepec, Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, September 11
The 9/11 story America's teachers keep telling
Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY/Kewanee Star Courier, September 8
Chicago school board candidates sign pledge to ban AI use in schools
Mila Koumpilova, Chalkbeat Chicago, September 10
First AI-driven, teacher-free school in Chicago opens with $55,000 annual tuition
Izzy Stroobandt, WMAQ/NBC 5 Chicago, September 11
In today’s Leading News, remembering and teaching 9/11.
Teaching 9/11 When Students—and Their Parents—Don’t Remember It
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, Education Week, September 9
Professor analyzes what schools do and don't teach about 9/11 and the subsequent wars
Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, September 6
One lawmaker proposing legislation to require Illinois schools to teach about the events of 9/11
Michelle Eccles, NPR Illinois, September 11
Most states prompt schools to teach about 9/11, but the details differ, AP finds
Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press, September 8
Students with President George W. Bush on 9/11 reflect on the day: 'You could see it on his face'
Mason Leib, ABC News, September 11
In today’s Leading News, school districts engage in conversations with their communities.
District 214 offering behind-the-scenes tours before $295 million referendum
Christopher Placek, The Daily Herald, September 8, 2026
Carthage school board members address recent concerns from public
KHQA, Quincy, September 7
Rock Island State of the Schools Address highlights growth and goals for future
Cesar Toscano, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, September 8
Parents express concern as Rockford Public Schools faces occupational therapy shortage
Ma’rico Holland, WTVO, Rockford, September 10
A-C Central seeks input on four areas of district strategic plan
Jacksonville Journal-Courier, September 8
In today’s Leading News, tech talk at all levels of education. Also in the news, a tragedy in Frankfort, where a child has died after being struck by a school bus.
Schools Caught Flat-Footed After Google Makes Gemini Chatbot Available to All Students
Grace Jiang, Education Week, September 1
Minooka High forms committee ahead of classroom cellphone ban
Dave Fidlin, Shaw Local Media, September 3
States urge schools to use AI, but leave teachers on their own to stop cheating
Lily Altavena, Chalkbeat, September 2
Time limits and a midnight cutoff: Meta’s new rules for kids go further, but critics say not enough
Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Barbara Ortutay, AP/Chicago Tribune, August 27
6-year-old killed in school bus accident in Frankfort
Daily Southtown, September 8
In today’s Leading News, Roxana CUSD 1 and its teachers have reached a tentative contract. CPS policies supporting transgender students draws attention in Congress. Also in the news, read about protests and allegations of racial incidents involving south suburban school districts.
Roxana teachers, school board reach tentative contract deal
Scott Cousins, Alton Telegraph, September 1
U.S. House committee reviewing whether CPS policies that support transgender students violate federal law
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times, August 27
Lincoln-Way East students removed from Homewood-Flossmoor football game for alleged ‘racist harassment’
Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, September 6
Second racist Lincoln-Way East incident alleged by Homewood-Flossmoor
Michael O’Brien, Chicago Sun-Times, September 8
Lincoln-Way East students plan walkout over racial harassment incident at Homewood-Flossmoor football game
Michael O’Brien, Chicago Sun-Times, September 8
In today’s Leading News, AI is an emerging issue in Chicago School Board campaigns. Niles North THD 219 updates their school resource officer agreement to align with changes to the school code. High temperatures are forcing changes at districts throughout the state. Also in the news, a Naperville school welcomes back their own superhero.
Chicago school board candidates asked to sign pledge restricting AI, screen time
Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, September 3
Kevin Tanaka, Pioneer Press/Chicago Tribune, September 2
CPS students ordered to stay indoors during extreme heat warning
Sun-Times Wire, Chicago Sun-Times, September 2
Area high school sports adjusting to heat wave
Pete Hayes, The Telegraph, Alton, September 1
Naperville’s Scott Elementary gives its ‘king’ a superhero’s welcome
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, September 1
In today’s Leading News, Chicago Public Schools adjusted policy to make it easier for students experiencing homelessness to enroll. A downstate district ran into enrollment issues. A defunct Chicago charter school built with taxpayer dollars said it will let a court decide where proceeds from the sale of the facility should go. CPS extends free WiFi program for students. Also in the News, New York City public schools ban AI use for elementary and middle school students.
Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, August 28
Cahokia enrollment problems keep students out of class, families in a scramble
Madison Lammert, Bellville News-Democrat, August 28
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times, September 1
Chicago extends program offering free Wifi to CPS students
Mary Norkol, Chicago Sun-Times, September 2
New York City public schools ban AI for students through 8th grade
Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press/Chicago Tribune, September 2
In today’s Leading News, Griggsville-Perry CUSD 4 students start looking to their futures, Peoria SD 150 hires an outside firm to audit finances, money is provided to U-46 to address youth mental health, and CHSD 230 has an exciting start to the school year. In other news, Belvidere CUSD 100 is planning $70 million in maintenance.
New partnership helps students develop plans for life after graduation
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, August 31
Peoria Public Schools hires outside firm to audit finances
Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star, August 25
Elgin Township joining forces with schools, nonprofits on youth mental health programs
Mike Danahey, Daily Herald, August 29
High School District 230 welcomes new teachers, celebrates ‘exciting start’ after stormy summer
Evy Lewis, Daily Southtown, August 28
Belvidere School District planning $70 million for urgent maintenance without tax hike
Ma’rico Holland, WTVO, Rockford, August 24
In today’s Leading News, Illinois receives money in the Meta settlement, U.S. House committee is reviewing whether CPS policies violate student law, Oak Park-River Forest HSD 200 board OKs money for technology replacement, and Pikeland CUSD 10 adopts a new strategic plan. In other news, meet the candidates for the next Chicago school board president.
Illinois to receive up to $768M in Meta settlement over teen social media addiction
Hannah Meisel, CNI/Belleville News-Democrat, August 28
U.S. House committee reviewing whether CPS policies that support transgender students violate federal law
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times, August 27
Oak Park and River Forest High School board OKs $140K for technology replacement
Cam'ron Hardy, Pioneer Press, August 28
Pikeland adopts new strategic plan
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, August 27
Who will be the next Chicago school board president? Meet the candidates.
Chicago Tribune, August 28
Leading News
IASB's News Clip Service
The links to articles posted here are selected daily from news sources across Illinois, and sometimes beyond, provided as a service to our membership. These links go directly to the original source (print, broadcast, or online media) of the article. The purpose of sharing these links is to give readers of this site a wider perspective on state and local issues impacting public education. IASB neither endorses nor verifies the content.