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