In today’s Leading News, Marion CUSD 2 Marion collects assistance for families impacted by last week’s tornado. Kankakee SD 111 plans a second graduation ceremony and strengthens requirements to walk. Naperville CUSD 203 community members debate transgender student athletic participation. Suburban superintendents talk about local partnerships.  Also in the news, federal funding cuts may impact the troubled Garrison Alternative School in Jacksonville.

Marion CUSD #2 to collect donations for tornado relief
Melanie-Antonitis, The Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, May 19

KHS tightens requirements to walk in graduation ceremony
Later commencement to be held for students still finishing courses
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, May 20

Naperville parents voice objections after transgender student competes in track meet
Alicia Fabbre, Daily Herald, May 20

3 local school superintendents say business partnerships are key to shaping future of education
Janelle Walker, Northwest Herald, May 17

Trump administration cuts may end federal scrutiny of Illinois school where special ed kids often got arrested
Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica/Chicago Tribune, May 20
 

In today’s Leading News, read reporting on finding the right path for AI and education. Also in the news, is Arlington Heights once again Bear-able?

As Illinois lawmakers weigh artificial intelligence rules for schools, here's how Rockford teachers are using AI
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, May 19, 2025 at 4:12 AM CDT

A New Headache for Honest Students: Proving They Didn’t Use A.I.
Callie Holtermann, The New York Times, May 17

Illinois lawmakers ready to pass bill creating guidance for AI technology in schools
Mike Miletich, WAND, Decatur, May 13

Should computer science be required to graduate? These CEOs say yes.
Anna Merod, K-12 Dive, May 6, 2025

Arlington Heights mayor: Bears stadium not done deal
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, May 19
     
 

In today’s Leading News, the spotlight is on the state budget as talks continue. CTU reelects its president, Stacey Davis Gates. Also in the news, board reorganization season continues.

Governor’s office cuts revenue projection by $500M in latest downward estimate
Move comes as lawmakers enter final two-week stretch of budget negotiations
Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois, May 14

House speaker on Crespo ouster: 'Can't allow someone to go rogue'
Rich Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, May 16

State Week: A difficult budget to put together
Sean Crawford, Charles N. Wheeler III, Ben Szalinski, NPR Illinois, May 16

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and her team win reelection
Sarah Karp, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, May 17

May school board meetings set for Madison, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin counties
Chase Martin, Alton Telegraph, May 13
 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of state and national hot topics in education.  

What to know about a federal proposal to help families pay for private school
Cory Turner, NPR, May 14

Less than half of CPS schools have herd immunity for measles, state data shows
Kaitlin Washburn, Chicago Sun-Times, May 8

What Is ‘Illegal DEI?’ Trump Admin.'s School Probes Start to Paint a Picture
Brooke Schultz, Education Week, May 13

Advocates press for continued funding to college test prep support program in Illinois
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune/Decatur Herald & Review, May 4

Dangerous TikTok trend "Chromebook Challenge" hits central Illinois schools
Emily Jordan, WICS, Springfield, May 14
 

In today’s Leading News, taking a few looks at pending legislation and its impacts.

Tight fiscal picture, federal funding uncertainty complicate state budget talks
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, May 13

Native American and Freeburg mascot bills stall in IL Senate, but could return
Madison Lammert and Will Bauer, Belleville News-Democrat, May 12

‘Our identity has been frozen in time’: How Native American advocates are influencing Springfield
Bridgette Fox and Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois, May 12

Classroom conversation: Danville looking at area examples as it weighs cellphone ban
Jennifer Bailey, Champaign News-Gazette, May 14

IHSA says it will partner with state lawmakers over Right to Play Act
Michael Johnson, Dana Rebik, WGN, Chicago, May 14
 

In today’s Leading News, goings on about the state: Dixon Unit SD 170 invests in new ways to teach science, and School District U-46 students serve the local outdoors. Decatur SD 61’s Prep Academy graduates celebrate. Massac CUSD 1 realigns its school mascots. Also in the news, community colleges promote two-plus-two.

Dixon High School takes a hands-on approach to the sciences
Payton Felix, Shaw Media Sauk Valley, May 8

Elgin High School students ask for help to save a creek
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, May 9

Decatur schools' first Prep Academy graduates complete the program
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, May 9

MJHS undergoing mascot change
Terra Temple, Metropolis Planet, May 8

New study suggests changes to Illinois’ community college-university pipeline
Peter Hancock, CNI/Herald-Whig, Quincy, May 6
 

In today’s Leading News, talking taxes in Marengo CHSD 154 and in Cook County. The Champaign CUSD 4 school board eyes changes. North Chicago CUSD 187 continues to move towards resuming local control. Also in the news, Governor Pritzker signs an executive order protecting the privacy of people with autism.

Taxpayers who sued win another $240K back from Marengo District 154
Michelle Meyer, Northwest Herald, May 8

'Broken system' of property tax appeals put extra $2 billion on Cook County homeowners, treasurer says
Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, May 5

First meeting of new Unit 4 board takes unexpected turn
Jeff D'Alessio, Champaign News-Gazette, May 10

North Chicago residents join D187 Independent Authority; major step in return to local control
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, May 9

In response to RFK Jr., Pritzker to sign first in nation executive order protecting autism data
Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times, May 7
 

In today’s Leading News, the bouncing ball of federal funding continues. The Tribune has the details on the CPS superintendent endorsement issue. Also in the news, CPS has settled a class action establishment clause lawsuit brought by students who participated in a meditation program.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump from slashing relief funds from metro-east school 
Madison Lammert and Peter Hancock. CNI/Belleville News Democrat, May 9

Federal government cancels Crystal Lake District 47’s multimillion-dollar mental health grant
Michelle Meyer, Northwest Herald, May 6

Education Department stops $1 billion in funding for school mental health
Cory Turner, National Public Radio, May 1

The school board president is trying to nix the superintendent requirement. Why does it matter?
Nell Salzman,  Chicago Tribune, May 12

$2.6M settlement approved in suit claiming meditation program violated public school students' religious rights
Debra Cassens Weiss, Chalkbeat Chicago, May 8
 

Learn about some long-serving school board members who have left the board in the last election. 

Rose Marie Lynch retires from La Salle-Peru High School Board after 40 years of service 
Derek Barichello, Shaw Local Illinois Valley, April 27 

Shawn Bennett's remarkable school board run: A record that will be hard to beat 
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, May 5 

Alton School Board Honors Longtime Member Ed Gray 
Sydney Sinks, RiverBender, April 16 

For the first time in 36 years, Tom Neeley is not on the Morton School Board 
Steve Stein, WCBU, Peoria, May 7 

District 153 board presents Shelly Marks with honorary playground 
Marilyn Thomas, Homewood Flossmoor Chronicle, May 6 

‘A lifelong learner’: Klimkowicz reflects on 28 years with board of Illinois’ largest high school district 
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, April 20 

Not Your Run-Of-The-Mill Elmhurst School Board Members: the member created a board game to explain the intricacies of school finance. 
David Giuliani, Elmhurst Patch, April 23 

LTHS Board Honors Travis Family For 50 Years Of Service 
Andrea Earnest, Lockport Patch, May 7 

In today’s Leading News, students celebrate culture in Little Village, discussions about community colleges offering bachelor’s degrees heat up, ways Illinois is working on boosting math learning, and math and art come together for a Decatur SD 61 art exhibit. In other news, learn about a Chicago program putting students on the fast track to STEM.  

Student festival at Little Village high school celebrates art, culture and community 
Ambar Colón, Chicago Sun-Times, May 7  

To fill ‘education deserts,’ more states want community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees  
Jon Marcus, The Hechinger Report/ Belleville News-Democrat, May 7 

Illinois begins work on plan boosting learning in math 
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, May 3  

Math, art come together for Decatur art exhibit 
Donnette Beckett, Decatur Herald & Review, May 1 

Engines of change: Chicago program puts young minds on the fast track to STEM 
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, April 29 
 

In today’s Leading News, read local coverage of centering students, in good times and bad.

'Inviting them to the table was an important piece': Students help with Illinois school cellphone ban
Mercedes Mackay, KSDK, St. Louis, May 6

Central A&M students earn C-SPAN honors with video project
Donnette Beckett, Decatur Herald & Review, May 4

Espresso yourself: Student-run café perks up Yorkville High students, staff
Lilli Mueller, Kendall County Now, May 1

Caterpillar celebrates 19 students who completed training program for local students
Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star, May 1

Ball-Chatham Superintendent: Social-emotional support of students comes first
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, May 1
 

In today’s Leading News, read the latest on national issues and how other states are faring.

Texas governor signs $1 billion voucher bill in milestone for school choice supporters nationally
Naia Lathan, Associated Press, May 3

Roberts might hold key Supreme Court vote over first publicly funded religious charter school
Mark Sherman, Associated Press, April 30

A town refuses to give up the school's Native American mascot — and gets Trump's support
Philip Marcelo, AP/News Gazette, Champaign, April 30

As federal dollars for Head Start slow, rural parents left without other options
Jackie Mader, The Hechinger Report/Belleville News-Democrat, May 1

As Gov. Brian Kemp signs Georgia school safety law, supporters look to implementing it
Jeff Amy, Associated Press, April 28
 

In today’s Leading News, the U.S. Department of Education is investigating Evanston SD 65 based on accusations the district “engages in racial segregation and reinforces stereotypes through policies and practices” and a similar investigation is underway in CPS. ISBE, the IHSA and Deerfield SD 109 are among the dozens of education institutions being called out by the administration for race-based programming, policies on transgender students, and other targeted programs. Also in the news, Waukegan SD 50 students address the board of education and practice problem-solving in their community.

U.S. Department of Education investigating Evanston-Skokie school district for racial discrimination
Cindy Hernandez Chicago Sun-Times, May 2

CPS plan to help Black students in crosshairs of Trump's Education Department
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 29

The Department of Education closed its Chicago civil rights office. How will it affect Illinois students?
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, April 30

See Which Schools Trump’s Education Department Is Investigating and Why
Brooke Schultz & Matthew Stone, Education Week, May 1

Students try to solve problems through Waukegan High’s Mikva Challenge; ‘You … do democracy to make it happen’
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, April 28
 

In today’s Leading News, read news about transportation, career and technical education, and baseball.

‘Organized crew’ stole catalytic converters from Will, Kankakee school buses, auto theft task force says
Multiple districts in Illinois targeted over the past few months
Jessie Molloy, Stephanie Markham and Jeff Bonty, Shaw Local, April 30

Oswego School Board to take action on hazardous walking route study
Eric Schelkopf, Kendall County Now, May 1

LIFT playhouse kit helping Mattoon fifth graders learn about construction
Rob Stroud, Journal Gazette & Times Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, April 30

Bloomington Career Academy construction students take first tour in new Brown Education Center
D. Jack Alkire, Bloomington Pantagraph, April 30

IHSA moves next month's 1A, 2A state baseball finals from Peoria to Champaign
Pete Hayes, Alton Telegraph, April 30
 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of federal-level decision-making, past, present, and future, and its potential impacts on local school districts.

AmeriCorps workers in metro-east told to stay home after DOGE cuts to funding 
Teri Maddox, Belleville News-Democrat, April 30

Roberts might hold key Supreme Court vote over first publicly funded religious charter school
Mark Sherman, AP/Daily Herald, April 30

Teachers, states stepping up to keep climate change education alive as federal government defunds it 
Anya Kamenetz, The Hechinger Report/Belleville News-Democrat, April 22

Feds probe Chicago Public Schools over alleged racial discrimination in Black Student Success Plan
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, April 29

With Head Start preschool on Trump's chopping block, parents warn of impact on kids
Lauren FitzPatrick, Chicago Sun-Times, April 28