In today’s Leading News, Illinois public education garners national headlines with coronavirus response issues.
Pritzker’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement for teachers arrives amid school outbreaks, hundreds of possible exposures
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, August 26
Illinois will require masks indoors for everyone and educators must get shots or face testing.
New York Times, August 26
Anna-Jonesboro High School earmarks nearly $900K of COVID-19 relief grant on football field astroturf
Kallie Cox, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, August 27
ISBE rejects Anna-Jonesboro's request to use COVID relief money on football turf
Kallie Cox, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, August 30
COVID-19 surge on Illinois school campuses show need for mask, vaccine mandates, health official says
Samantha Smylie and Cassie Walker Burke, Chalkbeat Chicago, August 26
As School Board Meetings Get Hostile, Some Members Are Calling It Quits
AP/National Public Radio, August 30
A new back-to-school worry for Chicago Public Schools parents: COVID’s raging Delta variant
Brett Chase, Chicago Sun-Times, August 27
Chicago Public Schools fully reopens today for first time in 18 months as COVID rages on: ‘I’m happy and worried’
Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune, August 30
Central Illinois schools unclear on how vaccine mandate will be implemented
Kelsey Watznauer, Bloomington Pantagraph, August 28
Suburban reaction to Pritzker's vaccination edict for schools? 'Big deal, we already did that'
Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 26
School outbreaks force early reversals on in-person learning
Jeff Amy, Associated Press, August 25
As the school year starts, more Illinois kids are hospitalized for COVID-19. But the situation is far worse in other states.
Joe Mahr and Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, August 25
Masks Mandated Indoors In Illinois; Vaccines Required For Teachers, Health Care Workers
Jerry Nowicki, CNI/WGLT, Normal, August 26
CPS students return to school Monday. We have answers to your questions about fall in-person learning.
Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune, August 26
Parents upset with busing shortage at Ball-Chatham schools
Matt Roy, WICS, Springfield, August 25
Schools call heat days as temperatures, humidity rise
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, August 26
Two Freeport schools to start year remotely due to forecasted hot, humid conditions
WREX, Rockford, August 25
Update:
Pritzker reimposes statewide indoor mask mandate
Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 26
Illinois governor to order statewide mask mandate and require vaccines for educators from kindergarten to college
Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, August 26
Over 1,200 K-12 schools, with 650K students, to use U. of I.’s rapid COVID-19 tests
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, August 25
Biden finds Missouri challenge to school mask mandates ‘unacceptable,’ White House says
Jonathan Shorman, AP/Belleville News-Democrat, August 24
Suicide prevention info on student IDs now the law after Gov. Pritzker signs bill pushed by Naperville Central teen’s group
Rafael Guerrero, Naperville Sun, August 24
Pritzker signs legislation seeking to protect children with severe allergies
Shepard Price, Alton Telegraph, August 24
In today’s Leading News, school districts, communities, and related entities cope with the details of education as COVID cases surge.
Southwest Illinois school district goes remote with surge in COVID cases, quarantines
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, August 20
From ‘quarantine academies’ to virtual substitutes, how schools are teaching students in isolation because of COVID-19
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, August 23
District 211 spent less money last year because of hybrid, remote learning
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 20
Some McHenry County families have started home schooling because of COVID-19 mask mandate
Sam Lounsberry, Northwest Herald, August 20
Illinois schools flouting Pritzker school mask mandate banned from fall playoff games
Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, August 24
Naperville School District 203, teachers union reach tentative contract agreement
Rafael Guerrero, Naperville Sun, August 23
School board OKs bargaining agreement
Nicole Lauer, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, August 23
Pritzker says new sex education law ‘will help keep our children safe’ — but GOP rivals blast it as ‘obscene’ and ‘misguided’
Rachel Hinton, Chicago Sun-Times, August 20
Decatur schools address bus transportation issues
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, August 21
Oswego School District delays start of Early Childhood classes due to school bus driver shortage
John Etheredge, Kendall County Now, August 23
Pritzker signs two bills to further sex education in K-12 schools
WIFR, Rockford, August 20
The Week in Review: Indoor Masking Returns
Alexandra Silets, WTTW, Chicago, August 20
State agency apologizes for asking for Carle doctor's stance on school mask mandate
Debra Pressey, Champaign News-Gazette, August 20
22 aldermen urge mayor and CPS to implement new COVID-safe policies for reopening
Cheyanne M. Daniels, Chicago Sun-Times, August 22
How parents and teachers can help kids nervous about returning to school
Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune, August 19
Illinois State Board of Education gets pushback on mask mandate
Peter Hancock, CNI/State Journal-Register, Springfield, August 19
Stevenson High School District 125 mandates teacher and staff vaccinations by October
Pioneer Press/Chicago Tribune, August 17
CTU says talks over additional COVID-19 precautions aren’t progressing with return to classrooms just days away
Mitch Dudek and Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, August 18
Classes begin in QPS with masks, without controversy
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, August 18
Masks just another part of the program on first day at Collinsville elementary school
Teri Maddox, Belleville News-Democrat, August 19
Naperville D203 and teachers union reach deal on family leave, plan to meet again on contract Monday
Rafael Guerrero, Naperville Sun, August 19
Dozens of Illinois public school districts on probation for refusing to comply with Pritzker’s mask mandate
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, August 18
Multiple southern Illinois schools placed on probation for not following mask mandate
WSIL, Carterville, August 18
How Will Students Learn If They Need To Quarantine This Year? It Depends.
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, August 16
School is starting in southwest Illinois. Here’s where youth COVID cases stand
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, August 17
COVID-19 'outbreak' puts ROWVA/Williamsfield football on pause
Matthew Wheaton, Galesburg Register-Mail, August 16
In today’s Leading News, negotiations continue between Naperville CUSD 203 board and teachers. It’s a new year and new facility in Decatur SD 61. McHenry County considers adding a truancy officer. McLean Co Unit District 5 unveils its Equity Plan, addressing staff diversity, access to honors and AP classes, staff training, and discipline data. Also in the news: “Bigger than hair” as a bill is signed that aims to prevent discrimination in schools based on hairstyles.
Naperville teachers pushing for 'fair, rapid settlement' in contract negotiations
Lauren Rohr, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 17
Students, staff kick off new year in new building at Johns Hill in Decatur
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, August 17
McHenry County considers adding truancy investigator
Ben Szalinski, Shaw Media/Northwest Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 10
Unit 5 rolls out 'Equity Action Plan'
Kelsey Watznauer, Bloomington Pantagraph, August 11
Kids to be protected from hair discrimination in schools: ‘Our existence deserves to be celebrated, not just tolerated’
Rachel Hinton, Chicago Sun-Times, August 13
In today’s Leading News, As CPS mandates vaccinations for school personnel, and other districts grapple with the Executive Order requiring masks, there are different forces in play in Galesburg CUSD 205, where high school students will start the year remotely. Also in the news, read a national take on what’s going on in public meetings, as well as an editorial from the Daily Herald in support of school boards facing difficult decisions.
Vax to school special: CPS mandates COVID-19 vaccination for teachers, all other district employees
Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times, August 13
Will schools defy Pritzker mask mandate?
Jane Carlson and Chris Kaegard, Peoria Journal Star, August 15
Galesburg High School students will start school remotely
Jane Carlson, Galesburg Register-Mail, August 16
A new source of COVID misinformation: your local government’s public comment session
David Klepper and Heather Hollingsworth, AP/Chicago Tribune, August 16
Editorial: Threats, name-calling against school board members must stop
Editorial Board, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 13
Lawsuit Seeks to Strike School Mask Mandate
Amanda Vinicky, WTTW, Chicago, August 10
Top educator warns schools against defying mask mandate
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, August 13
Suburban private school that lost state recognition over its response to Pritzker’s mask mandate says it never planned to defy the law
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, August 12
As COVID-19 cases increase, health officials urge masks indoors
Jane Carlson, Galesburg Register-Mail, August 13
Friday night slights: Referees, feeling unappreciated, underpaid and unnerved by COVID-19, are fleeing high school football and other youth sports
John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, August 10
After 18 months of COVID-19 interruptions, students across suburban Chicago head back for in-person learning: ‘We’re in this almost normal world right now’
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, August 11
New school year begins in Glenbard High School District 87
Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald, August 11
Back to School Help Fair gets students off to good start
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, August 10
CPS plans weekly COVID-19 tests for all students and staff — but stops short of requiring them
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, August 9
No Strike on First Day
NCTV17, Naperville, August 10
State-by-state guide to school face mask mandates
Kait Hanson, USA Today, August 10
Local health officials report record-breaking rise in COVID cases — children included
Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, August 11
Libertyville District 70 board says no more 'hateful' emails allowed as public comment
Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 10
In compromise, Farmington schools will require masks – but not due to Pritzker's mandate
Leslie Renken, Peoria Journal Star, August 10
Kaneland superintendent says discipline procedures will be followed if students refuse to wear masks in school
Mark Foster, Kane County Chronicles, August 10
School administrator says Illinois’ mask mandate creates ‘untenable and unsustainable’ pressure on staff
WTVO, Rockford, August 11
In today’s Leading News, CPS special education programs continue under scrutiny. Read how and why districts are changing the names of schools. Charleston CUSD 1 and Mattoon CUSD 2 are looking for bus drivers. Also in the news, a bill would add a suicide lifeline number to student ID cards.
CPS Special Education Still Plagued With Troubles 3 Years After State Ordered Reforms
Sarah Karp and Nader Issa, WBEZ and Sun-Times, Chicago, August 6
Why Thomas Jefferson's name was removed from suburban school building
Russel Lissau, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 7
'Good personality and good ideas': Meet the driving force to change names of Peoria schools
Leslie Renken, Peoria Journal Star, July 29
Charleston, Mattoon school districts in need of additional bus drivers
Rob Stroud, Journal Gazette & Times-Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, July 30
Illinois bill aims to put suicide prevention lifeline number on student IDs
Zoe Chipalla, WIFR, Rockford, July 28
In today’s Leading News, Illinois boards of education meet to discuss return-to-learn plans and the executive order requiring masks inside schools. Also in the news, St. Charles CUSD 303’s such meeting had an unusual twist.
Governor’s mask mandate unlikely to be last word on the issue in SouthlandMike Nolan, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, August 6
Local School Board meeting gets heated in debate over mask mandate
Noelle Williams, KFVS, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, August 10
McHenry County-area school systems contend with Gov. JB Pritzker’s statewide school mask order
Sam Lounsberry, Northwest Herald, August 5
Group of Dist. 303 parents, students rally against statewide mask mandate
Eric Schelkopf, Kane County Chronicle, August 10
Amid severe weather, St. Charles School Board meeting attendees moved to basement.
Kane County Chronicle, August 9
How will Pritzker's mask mandate be enforced? State, educators say they've got it covered
Marni Pyke, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, August 6
Will County school districts to reverse policies after Pritzker’s mask mandate to fight COVID-19
Alex Ortiz, Joliet Herald News, August 8
Despite governor’s directive, masks remain a hot topic in some Lake County school districts
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, August 6
Schools preparing for 'fluid' reopening
Dylan Suttles, Alton Telegraph, August 4
Mask mandate to affect volleyball again
Bucky Dent, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, August 5
Is the delta variant making younger adults ‘sicker, quicker’?
Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times via Chicago Tribune, August 4
State offering UI saliva tests to all public K-12 schools
Ethan Simmons, Champaign News-Gazette, August 4
Area superintendents adjust on mask mandate, with changing information, governor's update
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, August 4
Pritzker mask mandate for Illinois schools unlikely to quell COVID-19 battles at suburban districts
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, August 4
Illinois school mask mandate 2021 includes IHSA indoor sports
Wes Huett, Peoria Journal Star/Kewanee Star Courier, August 4
Masks back in demand as Illinois announces statewide mandate in schools. ‘We are going to be selling masks like crazy.’
Lauren Zumbach, Chicago Tribune, August 4
Illinois requires school masks, some state worker vaccinations
John O'Connor AP/Decatur Herald and Review, August 4
Pritzker imposes mask mandate for Illinois schools; vaccine mandate for some state workers
John Sahly, Northwest Herald, August 4
Illinois announces new mask rules for schools as fight against COVID-19 continues
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, August 4
'Hard to disagree'; Southern Illinois leaders react to Pritzker's school mask mandate
Les O'Dell, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, August 4
Illinois Physicians Rate COVID-19 Risk for Kids’ Daily Activities
Kristen Thometz, WTTW, Chicago, August 2
ISBE updates mask guidance: Everyone should wear masks
For the question of who should wear a mask, ISBE has one word: Everyone
John Sahly, Shaw Media, Northern Illinois, August 2
IDPH: School districts not following CDC mask guidance should consult insurance companies
Shaw Local News Network, Northern Illinois, July 26
Parents Call For Universal School Masking As State Education Board Adopts CDC Guidance
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, August 2
Editorial: Putting schools in the middle of mask controversies
Editorial Board, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, July 31
Chicago is getting an elected school board. How will that work?
Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune, August 2
Chicago gets elected school board — Pritzker signs bill opposed by Lightfoot, looks ‘forward to ongoing conversations’ with her
Rachel Hinton, Chicago Sun-Times, July 29
Education services extended for students with special needs
CNI/Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, July 28
Bloomington High Schoolers Dive Into Local Politics With Online Journal
Ryan Denham, WGLT, Normal, July 30
Peoria Public Schools teacher shortage solved by hiring internationally
Paige Blanzy, WEEK, Peoria, July 29
Pritzker ‘Looking at All Possible Mitigations;’ Masks Mandated at Driver Facilities
Jerry Nowicki, CNI/WSIU, Carbondale, July 29
Masks up for debate again at suburban districts after CDC calls for universal masking in schools
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, July 28
Unit 5 To Start School Year With Universal Masking
Charlie Schlenker, WGLT, Normal, Jul 28
Yorkville School District 115 community forum participants split on mask policy
Lucas Robinson, Kendall County Now, July 28
Mask debate gets heated at Moline school board
Nicole Lauer, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, July 28
Leading News
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