In today’s Leading News, read about facility conversations throughout the state, past, present, and future. 

Lockport District 205 uses grant for roof repairs on Central Campus
Jessie Molloy, Shaw Local/Joliet Herald-News, June 20

Mahomet-Seymour officials say they can build new junior high without raising tax rate
Jana Wiersema, Champaign News-Gazette, June 20

Triad Schools’ summer facility upgrades on track for completion by Aug. 13
Greg Hoskins, Troy Times Tribune, June 18

Shootings increased near Chicago’s closed schools that sat empty, study finds
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, June 15

IHSA finalizes plans to introduce shot clock for 2026-27 basketball seasons

Host schools must have shot clock operational for all varsity girls and boys games this coming winter
J.T. Pedelty, Shaw Local Media, June 18

In today’s Leading News, read the latest coverage of stories we’ve been following. 

Half of Chicago school board candidates are facing challenges, but powerful CTU says it didn’t file any
Sarah Karp, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, June 4

‘Should I have done this?’: Dozens of candidates fight to stay on Chicago’s school board ballot
Kate Armanini and Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, June 20

Naperville 203 board approves policy limiting student rideshare use
Kim Pirc. NCTV17, Naperville, June 17

Denman teachers agree to teaching license suspension
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 19

Buffalo Grove honors high school security guard posthumously
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, June 16

Sponsor says school district opposition over costs stalled unemployment benefits proposal for support staff
Jordan Daniell, NPR Illinois, June 18

In today’s Leading News, feeling picked on? Illinois communities once again weather the storms. Also in the news, Governor Pritzker has signed the state’s FY27 budget.

Illinois is just 3 tornadoes away from breaking its all-time record
Mother Nature ‘picks on’ Illinois
 Michael Urbanec, Shaw Local Media, June 17

Charleston Middle School damaged by severe weather
Molly Sweeney, WCIA, Champaign, June 17

Meridian Elementary School suffers storm damage
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, June 17

Tornado outbreak rakes Midwest amid unusually strong June storm
Mary Gilbert and Briana Waxman, CNN, June 18

Pritzker signs nearly $56 billion budget with new business taxes
Ben Szalinski, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, June 17

In today’s Leading News, read the latest news on national education topics. 

Trump further guts Education Dept. by shifting oversight of special ed, civil rights
Jonaki Mehta, Cory Turner, NPR, June 16

The private school choice boom leaves behind many kids in public school
Bianca Vázquez Toness and Sharon Lurye, Associated Press, June 16

Illinois educators urge Pritzker to reject federal school voucher program
Yahri Edmond, WSIU, Carbondale, June 12

School districts, trans kids pay for anti-trans lawsuits cropping up across U.S.
Violet Miller and Samantha Donndelinger, Chicago Sun-Times, June 16

At U.S. Senate Hearing, a Call for AI That Protects ‘Human Judgment’ in Schools
Jennifer Vilcarino, Education Week, June 16

In today’s Leading News, read news about school facilities, including opening for a case and closing for renovation. Also in the news, Illinois gets rated on children’s well-being. 

Streator Elementary offering local assistance following tornado
Bill Freskos, Shaw Local Illinois Valley, June 13

Severe storms cause major damage to homes, schools and trees in central Illinois; thousands without power
Reginald Hardwick and Abigail Bottar, Illinois Public Meia, June 12

Vienna students build city's new roundabout welcome sign
Mike Mohundro, WSIL, Harrisburg, May 28

One Final Walk-Through Held Before Henry-Senachwine Academic Wing Demolition Begins
Starved Rock Media, June 15

Is Illinois a good place to be a kid? Report scores child wellbeing
Hannah Hundall, Peoria Journal Star, June 10

In today’s Leading News, CPS renews charter agreements after initial delay. School boards for Joppa-Maple Grove USD 38 and THSD 214 (Arlington Heights) are undertaking strategic planning. Also in the news, more on mathematics. 

After delay, Chicago School Board renews charters amid revamped oversight
Reema Amin, Chalkbeat/WBEZ, June 10

Retreat provides J-MG board strategic planning time
Terra Temple, Metropolis Planet, June 13

Ahead of possible referendum, District 214 hosts inaugural ‘State of the District’
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, June 4

Illinois just adopted the first statewide numeracy plan to improve math instruction. What will it change?
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, June 12

Here Are the Math Concepts That Trip Up Middle and High School Students
Sean Cavanagh, Education Week, June 11

In today’s Leading News, ISBE adopts a statewide numeracy plan. Cook County schools anticipate delayed property tax payments. An issue of DACA paperwork has caused a Waukegan educator to lose her job. Also in the news, the Bi-County Special Education Cooperative opens up a time capsule. 

ISBE zeroes in on improving math education in Illinois
Peter Hancock, Champaign News-Gazette, June 12

School, library officials demand Cook County step up tax payments
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, June 10

Cook County property tax bills delayed again — this time by 2 months
Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, June 6

Waukegan woman loses job of six years under DACA with District 60 after her work status ends
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, June 10

Former Thome School students open time capsule they buried 25 years ago in Rock Falls
Alex T. Paschal, Shaw Media/Sauk Valley, June 1

In today’s Leading News, CPS CEO Macquline King testified during a House Education and Workforce Committee on the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The news of the bouncing Bears continues. Also in the news, getting wild in Quincy with the University of Illinois Extension and Ag in the Classroom. 

House Republicans press CPS chief over DEI, transgender student policies
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, June 10

CPS CEO defends transgender student policies against attacks by House Republicans
Sarah Karp, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, June 1

Pritzker plays offense and defense in game of political football over elusive Bears deal
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, June 9

Illinois Republicans hope to reengage Bears with new proposals
Ben Szalinski, CNI/Bloomington Pantagraph, June 9

Summer projects underway at Quincy schools
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 10

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of the upcoming school board elections for Chicago Public Schools. McLean Co Unit District 5 considers changes due to a transportation fund deficit. Oswego CUSD 308 deals with unpaid student fees. West suburban school districts see the end of a TIF tiff. Also in the news, Edwardsville CUSD 7 reflects on the school year.

More than half of Chicago school board candidates face ballot challenges
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, June 4

Unit 5 transportation fund deficit grows amid state funding losses
Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, May 21

District 7 board president reflects on a year that changed the district
Abi Zajac, Alton Telegraph, June 2

Oswego School District 308 facing more than $5 million in unpaid student fees
Eric Schelkopf, Shaw Local/Kendall County Now, May 27

TIF case against Winfield ends after state supreme court declines to hear school districts’ appeal
Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald, June 8

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of local issues concerning student safety and security. 

ETHS to reopen Wednesday after ransomware attack forces two-day closure
Bob Chiarito, Evanston Roundtable, June 8

Plainfield High student charged in alleged Joliet school shooting plot
William Lee, Chicago Tribune, June 4

Naperville 203 board pumps brakes on rideshare policy decision
Dave Fidlin, NCTV17, Naperville, June 2

Can your child legally walk home from school alone in Illinois? What to know
Meredith Howard, Belleville News-Democrat, June 3

Illinois Legislature bans new immigration detention centers near homes and schools
Matt Trunfio, Chicago Sun-Times, June 1

In today’s Leading News, read reactions to Illinois legislation that will limit the use of cell phones in schools. 

Illinois’ new cellphone ban receives praise and criticism from Chicago-area school communities
Kate Perez, Molly Morrow, Claire Murphy, and Joseph States, Chicago Tribune (et al.), June 7

Suburban schools ready for state ban on cellphones in class
Susan Sarkauskas, Daily Herald, June 4

Video, texting and noises among south suburban concerns on school cellphone ban
Addison Wright and Olivia Stevens, Daily Southtown, June 5

State-wide classroom cell phone ban legislation in the works for Illinois: How school districts will shift
WREX, Rockford, June 4

Screens are leaving schools fast, though some students with disabilities rely on them
Jonaki Mehta, NPR/WSIU, Carbondale, June 4

In today’s Leading News, read some big-picture takes on education funding and other legislative action. Cahokia Unit SD 187 and its teachers reach an agreement after over a year of negotiation. Also in the news, Flossmoor SD 161 establishes an AI plan. 

Education bills headed to governor ban cellphones, loosen foreign language requirements
Peter Hancock, CNI/Decatur Herald & Review, June 4

Here’s how much education funding is in Illinois’ FY27 state budget
Makiya Seminera, Chalkbeat Chicago, June 4

Illinois bill limits how social media companies can target feeds to children
Nikoel Hytrek, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, June 4

Cahokia school district, union reach tentative agreement after heated negotiation
Madison Lammert and Will Bauer, St. Louis Public Radio/Belleville News-Democrat, June 3

Flossmoor School District 161 Board approves artificial intelligence plan
Jon Bannister, Homewood Flossmoor Chronicle, May 31

In today’s Leading News, read about facilities, big and small. 

Owen Marsh students will have a new landing pad in the fall
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, May 17

Joliet District 86 breaks ground on final major building project approved in 2023 referendum
Jessie Molloy, Shaw Local Media/Joliet Herald-News, June 2

Olympia High School breaks ground on long-awaited $15M expansion
Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, June 2

Glen Ellyn students create their own Little Free Library at school
Daily Herald, May 29

Homer Glen fourth grader celebrates playground that her fundraising helped create
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, May 29

In today’s Leading News, school boards make decisions based on student needs and resources. 

Grant leads to Urbana's first 'community school,' administrative shuffle
Jana Wiersema, Champaign News-Gazette, May 20

‘That really breaks my heart’: Lincoln Park High School to sunset Arabic classes, prompting outcry from community
Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, May 31

Bloomington High School's Raider Academy would help struggling students
D. Jack Alkire, Bloomington Pantagraph, May 21

Indian Prairie D204 mulling curriculum changes for some middle school English Language Arts courses
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, May 19

Macomb school supt. ‘extremely happy’ with in-house bus system
Rich Egger, Tri States Public Radio, May 26 

In today’s Leading News, read more about the weekend’s legislative action. CPS pauses charter school approvals. Also in the news, DuQuoin CUSD 300 prepares future teachers. 

Illinois lawmakers pass $56B budget deal backed by gas tax windfall and some election-year tax breaks
Dan Petrella and Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, June 1

Bears blocked in Illinois: House spikes late-session play for new stadium bill that cleared Senate
Mitchell Armentrout and Matt Trunfio, Chicago Sun-Times, June 1

Illinois lawmakers approve cell phone ban in schools
Andy Carrigan, Kewanee Star-Courier, May 31

Amid charter sector turmoil, Chicago school board delays charter school renewals
Mila Koumpilova, Chalkbeat Chicago, May 28

Program at DuQuoin High School helps students get started on teaching career
Brian Sapp, WSIU, Carbondale, May 18

In today’s Leading News, the spring legislative session has come to a close. Also in the news, the digital debate continues. 

Session slog ends in $56B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports
Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois, June 1

Schools to get funding increase, but less than some had urged
Peter Hancock, CNU/WSIU, Carbondale, June 1

Illinois lawmakers approve bill limiting students’ cell phone use in class
Ashlyn Wright, WGN, Chicago, May 31

Illinois House punts Bears stadium bill. Will lawmakers head to summer overtime session?
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, June 1

America’s schools face a backlash on digital devices as screens saturate classrooms
Jocelyn Gecker, AP/Chicago Tribune, May 26