In today’s Leading News, school safety and security are in the conversation at district, state, and national levels.

DeKalb school district completes safety audit
Megann Horstead, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, July 18

Dixon High School has had an armed SRO for nearly 20 years. 4 years ago, it saved lives.
Mike Helenthal, Kewanee Star Courier, July 21

State Police broaden scope of 'clear and present danger' reports after Highland Park shooting
Peter Hancock, CNI/Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, July 18

Communities need intervention strategies to prevent mass shootings: Experts
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, July 21

In today’s Leading News, after a delay for vote counting, Arlington Heights SD 25’s referendum passes. Board of education work continues across the state in the summer. Also in the news, the reporting continues on school ticketing.

It's official: District 25 ballot measure approved by 50 votes
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, July 19, 2022

Cobden school district still trying to replace its main gym after it was condemned
Paul Wilcoxen, WSIL, Carterville, July 14

'Democracy at work'
Ethan Simmons, Champaign News-Gazette, July 20

School ticketing data update shows racial disparity at Naperville North
Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica/Chicago Tribune, July 22

In today’s Leading News, Decatur Public Schools is moving forward with a plan to build a new school building using COVID relief funds. The McLean County Unit 5 board of education will vote on a proposal to put a referendum on the November ballot. East St. Louis District 189 will end their uniform requirement and institute new security policies. Also in the News, a new appointment to the CPS board of education.


School board set to move ahead with Lincoln Park site, president says
Valerie Wells, Herald & Review, Decatur, July 20

Watch now: Unit 5 board plans August vote on referendum
Connor Wood, Pantagraph, Bloomington, July 20
 
New East St. Louis School District dress code addresses security, ditches uniforms
Carolyn P Smith, Bellville News-Democrat, July 22
 
Mayoral ally picked for CPS board, pushing out member who opposes city’s plan for new Chinatown school
Sarah Karp and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, July 15

In today’s Leading News, Glenbard District 87 superintendent talks about the benefits of summer learning for students. One district looks back on the lasting legacy of a former superintendent. Chicago Public Schools is taste-testing school lunch recipes with students and parents, while Quincy Public Schools is dealing with rising food costs.

Glenbard District 87 superintendent highlights positive impact of summer learning
David Larson, Daily Herald, July 19

'Larger than life': Former superintendent recalled for raising standards in Barrington schools
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, July 20

CPS samples new school lunch recipes to the ultimate taste testers: students
Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, July 20

QPS faces rising food costs
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, July 20

In today’s Leading News, a study shows student gains narrowed COVID learning gap. The state is relaxing some COVID requirements. Kewanee CUSD 229’s new principals aren’t new to the district. Also in news, ‘workout Wednesday’ encourages Decatur SD 61 to take care of their health.

Study: Student gains last year narrowed COVID learning gap
Annie Ma, Daily Herald, July 19

State relaxing some COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements
Debra Pressey, Champaign News-Gazette, July 15

New Kewanee school principals Baney and Douglas don’t lack Dist. 229 district experience
Mike Helenthal, Star Courier, Kewanee, July 6

Workout Wednesdays encourage Decatur students, staff to take care of their health
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, June 23
 

In today’s Leading News, Kewanee Police department present formal requests to Kewanee CUSD 229 and Wethersfield SD CUSD 230 boards to add a full-time SRO. Batavia PSD 101 school board decides on a potential upcoming referendum. Decatur SD 61 explores new school in Lincoln Park on the city’s west side. Also in the news, work on Danville High School renovation scheduled to start mid-July.

Kewanee Police proposes armed School Resource Officers at Kewanee High School, Wethersfield
Mike Helenthal, Star Courier, Kewanee, July 15

Batavia school board to vote Tuesday on seeking $140M for school construction, renovations
Susan Sarkauskas, Daily Herald, July 15

Decatur Public Schools exploring new school in Lincoln Park
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, June 27

Work on $8.9 million Danville High School renovation to start mid-July
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, June 29
 

In today’s Leading News, Springfield SD 186 examines trading emergency days for e-learning days. Antioch CCSD 34’s new superintendent promotes collaboration. Quincy SD 172 wraps up renovations ahead of schedule. Also in the news, Urbana students unveil a new mural.

District 186 could trade emergency cancellations for e-learning days
Maureen Foertsch McKinney, Michelle Eccles, NPR Illinois, June 22

QJHS renovations to wrap ahead of schedule
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 22

New District 34 superintendent sees collaboration as the key
Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald, July 6

Urbana students unveil bold new mural at middle school
Joey Wright, Champaign News-Gazette, July 1
 

In today’s Leading News, a new regional vocational center in Mattoon is scheduled to open for the fall semester. Quincy SD 172 looks at kindergarten progress reports. Galesburg CUSD 205 looks at attendance tallies. Also in the news, the past in the present: Danville CCSD 118 discovers a time capsule.
 
Mattoon school district's LIFT vocational center prepares for students
Rob Stroud, Journal Gazette and Times Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, July 13
 
QPS kindergarten teachers pilot new report card
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 24
 
D205 board split on requiring students to wear lanyard IDs; discusses punch-in attendance
Samuel Lisec, Galesburg Register-Mail, July 13
 
Time capsule inside Danville school found
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, July 14

In today’s Leading News, read national and state pieces on the educator shortage. Members of the Mundelein community oppose a gun shop proposal. Also in the news, Central A&M schools open their doors to the community in the wake of a Tuesday morning accident involving four students.

School’s Out for Summer and Many Teachers Are Calling It Quits
Kathryn Dill, Wall Street Journal, June 20

As teacher shortage worsens, Illinois schools cast wary eye on fall reopening
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, July 12

Gun shop proposal in Mundelein dropped due to growing opposition in wake of Uvalde, Highland Park shootings
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, July 11

Central A&M students involved in Tuesday morning accident
Donnette Beckett, Decatur Herald and Review, July 12

In today’s Leading News, building plans and projects are underway in Highland CUSD 5 and Danville CCSD 118. In Decatur SD 61, the school uniform requirement is being phased out. Also in the news, Waukegan CUSD 60 addresses graduation requirements.

New school plans under way at Highland
Charles Bollinger, Alton Telegraph, July 6

Work on $8.9 million Danville High School renovation to start in mid-July
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, June 28

Decatur Public Schools drop high school uniform requirement
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, July 8

Waukegan school board looking at tweaking graduation requirements
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, July 12

In today’s Leading News, summer work for school boards includes meeting planning, revisiting emergency days, and considering solar power. Also in the news, a week after the Highland Park Independence Day tragedy, the education community is among those offering support to the Roberts family.

St. Charles School Board discussing whether to tape committee meetings rather than live streaming them
Eric Schelkopf, Kane County Chronicle/Shaw Media, July 11

District 186 school board will reconsider e-learning on some 'emergency' days. Here's why
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, June 27

Scales Mound explores solar
Brandon Behlke, Galena Gazette, June 28

‘New Normal’ for 8-Year-Old Twin Wounded in July 4 Shooting
AP/WTTW, Chicago, July 8

In today’s Leading News, the Tribune shares advice on discussing tragedy with children. Decatur residents  offer opinions on plans for a new school. CPS looks into financial management at a noted charter school. Also in the news, McLean Co Unit 5 considers long-term finances and a referendum.
 
How to talk to kids about the July Fourth Highland Park parade shooting
Lisa Schencker and Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, July 5
 
City Council gets earful about proposed Lincoln Park school
Brenden Moore, Decatur Herald and Review, July 5
 
CPS cites Urban Prep, celebrated all-boys Chicago charter school, for ‘dismal’ financial management
Sarah Karp, WBEZ, Chicago, July 1
 
Referendum 101: The long and winding road to Unit 5's financial crunch
Charlie Schlenker, WGLT, Normal, June 30

In today’s Leading News, read about the impacts of national issues on local school districts.

Members of minority faith, belief communities have mixed responses to Supreme Court ruling in favor of football coach praying on field
Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, July 4

Suburbs look to recoup funding after Illinois census undercount
Marni Pyke, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, June 27

How COVID-19 pandemic reshaped school district staffing across the suburbs
Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, July 2

Citing disruption, drama, local districts restrict cellphone use in schools
Simmons, News-Gazette, Champaign, June 26

Local high school becomes grief counseling center after Highland Park parade shooting
Dane Placko, WFLD, Chicago, July 5

In today’s Leading News, updates to the results of school district referendums from last week include a yes, a no, and a maybe. Also in the news, members of the Highland Park High School band are accounted for; they were marching in the town’s Independence Day parade that ended in violence and tragedy when a rooftop gunman opened fire. A CPS teacher is among the injured.

As ballot count continues, District 25 referendum 'yes' votes in the lead for the first time
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs July 1

Passing of referendum represents a vote for education in Highland IL school district
Elizabeth Donald, Highland News Leader, July 1

Voters reject Golf District 67′s $56 million referendum to build one new school for all students
George Castle, Pioneer Press, Morton Grove, July 1

'Impossible to imagine': 6 killed, 30+ hurt after gunman opens fire at Highland Park July 4 parade
Eric Peterson and Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, July 4

Highland Park shooting: 6 dead and 2 dozen others shot at parade; suspect arrested
Jake Sheridan, Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas, Gregory Pratt, Rosemary Sobol, Jeremy Gorner, Megan Crepeau, Annie Sweeney, Kinsey Crowley, Angie Leventis Lourgos, and Gavin Good, Chicago Tribune, July 4