In today’s Leading News, read coverage of questions of school discipline across state.

Orion administrators reflect on student discipline over the school year
Lisa Hammer, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, June 20

South Central High School students can receive ‘social suspension’ beginning next school year
WJBD, Salem, June 19

Protests, bans and contention: Groups spar over alleged discrimination at Morton schoo
Christina Avery, Peoria Journal Star, June 13

Student discipline crackdown in Decatur schools working, superintendent says
Valerie Wells Jun 11, 2025

A Black girl endured racist bullying in a mostly white Chicago school. Did CPS do enough?
Nader Issa and Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, June 13
 

In today’s Leading News, making plans.

Bad weather leads District 214 to consider moving future graduations to Hoffman Estates arena
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, June 30

To avoid potential conflicts, Sunday afternoon graduation eyed for 2026
Will Brumleve, Ford County Chronicle, June 18

Patoka, Odin, and Sandoval school districts all agree to reorganization study
Austin Williams, WJBD, Salem, June 27

South, southwest suburban high school districts prepare to implement new AI programs
Addison Wright, Daily Southtown, June 30

Decatur Public Schools to hold job fair
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, July 4
 

In today’s Leading News, more coverage of federal-level news impacting public education. Also in the news, read about Illinois’ college access and affordability law.

Illinois schools chief denounces Trump administration decision to withhold federal education funds
Samantha Smylie, Chalkbeat Chicago, July 2

Yorkville, Plano schools at risk of losing more than $200K as Trump freezes federal grants
Joey Weslo and John Sahly, Shaw Local/Kendall County Now, July 3

Pritzker warns 330,000 Illinoisans could lose Medicaid under Trump’s budget plan
Peter Hancock, CNI/NPR Illinois, July 3

What SCOTUS ruling on LGBTQ storybooks could mean for Chicago schools
Cianna Greaves, WBEZ, Chicago, June 20

Gov. Pritzker signs bills tackling college access and affordability
Emmanuel Camarillo, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, June 30
 

In today’s Leading News, time passages. 

‘Living piece of history’: Tour near century-old former Sycamore Central School before it closes
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, June 18

How northern Illinois teachers are bringing indigenous stories into their classrooms for the first time
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, June 27

Leyden High School’s 100th birthday grabs national attention
Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, June 24

High … and bye: Savanna bids adieu to West Carroll High School
Cody Cutter, Shaw Local, Sauk Valley, June 30

School tours highlight Adams County’s education heritage
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 20

In today’s Leading News, read details about the Trump Administration’s withholding of funds. 

$240 million in Illinois school funding withheld by Trump administration
John Sahly, Shaw Local Media, July 2

Trump administration withholds over $6 billion for after-school, summer programs and more
Collin Binkley, Bianca Vázquez Toness, Sharon Lurye, and Annie Ma, Associated Press, July 2

Trump Withholds Nearly $7 Billion for Schools, With Little Explanation
The money, which was allocated by Congress, helps pay for after-school programs, support for students learning English and other services.
Sarah Mervosh and Michael C. Bender, New York Times, July 1

See How Much School Funding Trump Is Holding Back From Your State
The nearly $7 billion the administration isn’t sending to states includes funding for English learner services, professional development, and more
Mark Lieberman & Laura Baker, Education Week July 2
 

In today’s Leading News, read about the expected impacts of the U.S. Senate-passed budget and policy bill, and other federal education funding news.

Democrats deride Senate passage of Trump bill, as activists target GOP lawmakers ahead of House vote
Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times, July 1

Senate Narrowly Passes Trump’s Big Tax Breaks and Spending Cuts Bill
AP/Education Week, July 1

Educators react as ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ passes through Senate
Micah Ward, District Administration, July 1

All states can now access ESSER late liquidation funds
Kara Arundel, K-12 Dive, June 27

Schools and States Scramble as Trump Freezes $6.8 Billion in Federal Funds
Mark Lieberman, Education Week, July 1

 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions impacting education.

Supreme Court says Maryland parents can pull their kids from public school lessons using LGBTQ books
Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, June 27

Educators rethink lessons as Supreme Court decision opens door for religious opt-outs
Norah Rami, Chalkbeat, June 27

Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions. Why That Matters for Education
Mark Walsh, Education Week, June 27

Supreme Court Upholds School E-Rate Program
Mark Walsh, Education Week, June 27

Birthright, sanctuary status and more: What the latest SCOTUS rulings mean for Chicago and beyond
Aaryan Kumar, Gina Montagna, Lynnea Domienik, and Meha Ahmad, WBEZ, Chicago