In today’s Leading News, Decatur SD 61 approves the 2022 tax levy. Urbana SD 116’s band room is ready to grow. McLean Co Unit 5 unveils new natural playground. In other news, why Peoria Rivermen played a game in front of 7,000 kids. 

Decatur school board approves 2022 tax levy
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, December 14 

Urbana High's band room ready to grow 
Ethan Simmons, Champaign News-Gazette, December 16 

New natural playground unveiled at Colene Hoose Elementary 
Mateusz Janik, Bloomington Pantagraph, December 13 

Why the Peoria Rivermen played a game in front of 7,000 screaming schoolkids 
Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star, December 15 
 

In today’s Leading News, Altamont CUSD 10 expands tech in the curriculum. Clinton CUSD 15 discusses the pros and cons of the school report card. CPS reports on tech spending. Lincoln’s ChalleNGe program students graduate with honors. Also in the news, students and coffee are a winning combination.

Altamont Unit 10 makes course change
Nick Taylor, Effingham Daily News, December 13

Clinton Schools Superintendent Discusses Schools Report, Flaws in Data
DeWitt Daily News, December 12

Chicago Public Schools spent $308 million on technology since March 2020. Now what?
Mila Koumpilova and Sarah Karp, Chalkbeat Chicago and WBEZ, December 13

'Go out there and conquer the world:' Lincoln's ChalleNGe graduates put on new path
Zach Roth, State Journal-Register, Springfield, December 13

Special needs students learn a latte of valuable life skills running coffee businesses
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, December 12
 

In today’s Leading News, 10 years after the tragedy, did Sandy Hook change the conversation? Champaign CUSD 4 continues talk of reconfiguring elementary attendance plans.  Lake Forest CHSD 115 plans a spring referendum. Students and the district discuss consequences after an incident in a Elmhurst CUSD 205 restroom.  Also in the news, Decatur SD 61 fourth-graders share lessons in caring.

Sandy Hook changed the national conversation around school violence and gun reform
Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant/Chicago Tribune, December 14

New Unit 4 schools scenario up for feedback
Ethan Simmons, Champaign News-Gazette, December 12

Lake Forest D115 voters to decide on $106M bond referendum
Daniel I. Dorfman, Pioneer Press/Lake Forester, December 13

Suburban high school students plan walkout after circulation of videos showing student with special needs being bullied
Brónagh Tumulty, Eli Ong, WGN, Chicago, December 13

American Dreamer students learn to think of others
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, December 13
 

In today’s Leading News, read local media reports on the first day of the filing period for the April 2023 Consolidated election.

Candidates file to run for seats on Naperville Park Board and district 203 and 204 school boards
Suzanne Baker, Naperville Sun, December 13

Mattoon school board set to have contested race
Rob Stroud, Journal Gazette and Times Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, December 12

Sex education, inclusivity, COVID-19 pandemic: McHenry County school board candidates share priorities on first day of filing
James T. Norman, Northwest Herald, Chicago suburbs, December 13

Election filings start for candidates seeking school board, park district seats among others
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, December 12

Transparency and accountability key issues in school board race
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, December 12

In today’s Leading News, it’s another viral holiday season. Illinois’ small school districts aim for the attention of lawmakers and collaborate to offer expanded virtual course offerings. The Barrington CUSD 220 hears of trauma stemming from racism. Also in the news,  Johnsburg CUSD 12 student musicians traveled for a tribute at this year’s Pearl Harbor ceremony.  

Illinois hospitals slammed with serious RSV intakes, and not just among young children
Meredith Howard, Belleville News-Democrat, December 9

Small Illinois school districts seeking a greater voice in Springfield
Rich Egger, Tri States Public Radio, Macomb, December 8

North Greene school entering into network of classes
Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, December 7

Black mom of Barrington School District 220 student asks board for help dealing with racial disparaging: ‘This trauma has changed him’
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Pioneer Press/Barrington Courier Review, December 6

Johnsburg marching band play in Pearl Harbor parade, tribute
Janelle Walker, Northwest Herald, December 7
 

In today’s Leading News, school districts determine what to do about the flu. CNI reports on the state’s pension debt. Sterling CUSD 5 seeks Latino teachers. Monticello CUSD 3 approves funds for facilities. Also in the news, Esports teams continue to rise, including in DeKalb CUSD 428.

Some schools close to stem flu outbreaks — but is it a good long-term solution? 
Mary Kekatos, ABC News/WJBD, Salem, December 6

State's pension debt grows to $139.7B
Peter Hancock, CNI/Effingham Daily News, December 10

Work begins on initiative to develop Latino teachers for Sterling Public Schools
Troy E. Taylor, Sauk Valley News, December 11

School board approves $4.5 million facilities upgrade
Kevin Barlow, Piatt County Journal Republican, December 6

New esports program takes DeKalb High School students to new levels
Megann Horstead, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, December 5
 

In today’s Leading News, Center Cass SD 66 officials express gratitude to the community after a referendum. Quincy SD 172 looks add high school courses. The family of a student killed at a Springfield SD 186 school sues the district. An Illinois private school increases security after a video recorded at a conference goes viral. Also in the news, the Bloomington SD 87 community helps students sleep.

‘We’re just very grateful.’ District 66 officials thank community for supporting referendum
Samantha Malone, Suburban Life/Shaw Local, December 8

QHS planning new art sequence, English course for 23-24
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, December 1

Family of slain Springfield student suing District 186. Here's what you need to know
Zach Roth, State Journal-Register, Springfield, November 19

Chicago private school defends LGBTQ sex ed, tightens security after right-wing viral video
Char Daston, WBEZ, Chicago, December 8
               
Washington Elementary hosts Bloomington District 87's first Bed Blitz
Connor Wood, Bloomington Pantagraph, December 8
 

In today’s Leading News, the work for a school district isn’t only in the classroom.

District receives grant for new boiler
George Howe, Amboy News, December 2

Central School Board proposes preliminary tax levy
Kelly Jo Ross, Breese Journal, December 2

District 204 superintendent defends busing policy
Kevin Schmit, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, November 23

IHSA announces new site for football state finals
Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star, December 7

Vermilion County students benefit from equine-assisted psychotherapy
Jennifer Bailey, Danville Commercial-News, November 19
 

In today’s Leading News, local authorities keep an eye on COVID spikes. Effingham CUSD 40 teams up with law enforcement for safer driving around school buses. Paris SD 96 develops a community health center. In Elk Grove Village, Community Consolidated SD 59 will vote on a proposed reconfiguration. Also in the news, a graduation story.

COVID-19 cases spike in St. Clair County, across Illinois. Here’s the latest data
Meredith Howard, Belleville News-Democrat, December 4

Police team with Unit 40 to protect bus riders
Dawn Schabbing, Effingham Daily News Dec 2

Paris 95 continues progress on health center
Nancy Zeman, Prairie Press, Paris, November 21

Controversial plan to reshape District 59 schools up for vote Dec. 12
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, November 23

90-year-old Geneseo resident set to graduate from Northern Illinois University
Hernan Gutierrez, KWQC, Quad Cities, December 4
 

In today’s Leading News, St. Charles CUSD 303 discusses elementary transfers. A Chicago 16-year-old pleads guilty to a disorderly conduct charge after threats last month to Urbana High School. Peoria Public Schools begins demolition projects. Cook County tax bills are on the way. Also in the news, the World Cup helps students find common pitch.

St. Charles School Board debates whether changes should be made to student transfer policy
Eric Schelkopf, Kane County Chronicle, December 5

Chicago 16-year-old pleads guilty to disorderly conduct in Urbana High threats
Debra Pressey, Champaign News-Gazette, December 2

The first stage in the demolition of abandoned Peoria schools will begin soon
Leslie Renken, Peoria Journal Star, November 30

4 things driving Chicago property tax bills higher: Look up your neighborhood
A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, December 1

World Cup brings together Southwest Side elementary schoolers: ‘We needed this’
Michael Loria, Chicago Sun-Times, December 2
 

In today’s Leading News, the Washington Post offers a national perspective on student mental health. Two school districts regroup after referendums are voted down. Because the Community Unit School District 300 (Algonquin) main district office has moved, so has the candidate filing location. Also in the news, a CPS program offers a soaring perspective

The crisis of student mental health is much vaster than we realize
Donna St. George and Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, December 5

At Norridge’s Pennoyer School, sixth failed referendum has officials glum: ‘I don’t want to use the word desperation, but’
Caroline Kubzansky, Pioneer Press, Harwood Heights, December 2

District 101 loan request rejected by slim margin; tight races for Kane County Board decided
Alicia Fabbre, the Daily Herald, November 23, 2022

District 300 school board candidates must file petitions in McHenry County for April consolidated election
Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, December 2

Through a Chicago high school’s drone-flying program, teens expand their horizons
Maddie Ellis, Chicago Tribune, November 27

 

In todays Leading News, IMSA plans admission to out-of-state students. Waukegan SD 60 reviews performances. Objections are made to an assembly speaker in a THSD 214 school. Galesburg CUSD 205 studies discipline and response. Also in the news, Chicago area student-athletes share warmth for the winter.

Illinois Math and Science Academy opens out-of-state, tuition-based enrollment
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, November 28

District 60 board sets new goals for superintendent, including bolstering student achievement lost during pandemic
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, November 24

Students, parents object to speaker at Prospect High
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, November 30

Galesburg School District responds to increased concerns over student behavior, discipline
Samuel Lisec, Galesburg Register-Mail, November 28

‘It’s wintertime’: Chicago-area student athletes donate 1,000 sweaters to help keep homeless warm
Shannon Halligan and Eli Ong, WGN, Chicago, November 27
 

In today’s Leading News, a new Illinois law has an adjustment phase. Community Consolidated SD 59 (Elk Grove Township considers grade-level centers. An arrest was made after threats closed Urbana SD 116 schools in November. Galena USD 120 approves new classes for next school year. Also in the news, a moment in Mascoutah.

Illinois’ Inclusive Athletic Attire Act was first of its kind in the US. But some athletes say there is still confusion on the courts.
Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, November 28

Controversial plan to reshape District 59 schools up for vote Dec. 12
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, November 23

16-year-old arrested in Chicago in connection with Urbana school threats
Jeff D’Alessio, Champaign News-Gazette, November 22

New electives approved for next school year
Murphy Obershaw, Galena Gazette, November 29

Thousands of birds fly in unison and in complex patterns near Mascoutah
Derik Holtmann, Belleville News-Democrat, December 1