In today’s Leading News, read about a suburban a conversation about TIFs. Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3 places a referendum. Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD 233 students walk out over harassment concerns. The new CPS budget has elementary schools seeking more. Also in the news, new windows are planned for Carlyle CUSD 1’s elementary school.
 
Taxing bodies spar over impact of bill to limit special taxing districts
Maria Gardner, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, March 26
 
Mahomet-Seymour OKs tax hike on ballot, new superintendent
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, March 22
 
Homewood-Flossmoor students to hold second walkout over alleged sexual assault, harassment between students
Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, March 18
 
CPS high schools see more money but nearly half of elementary budgets cut
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, March 18
 
Carlyle School Board OKs grade school window bid
Bryan Hunt, Breese Journal, March 25
 

In today’s Leading News, the teachers strike has ended in Proviso THSD 209, and students return to school Monday.  Galesburg CUSD 205 sets its calendar. Springfield SD 186 looks  at combining elementary schools. Belleville THSD 201 builds a career center. Also in the news, waiting on the bus in Naperville CUSD 203.

Proviso teachers, school board reach tentative agreement to end two-week strike and send 4,200 students back to class
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, March 24

District 205 approves adding time to school days for 2022-2023 year
Samuel Lisec, Galesburg Register-Mail, March 21

Southern View Elementary now being considered for part of consolidation plan
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, March 21

Here’s an update on the planned Belleville District 201 vocational career center
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, March 24

Naperville 203 board members frustrated by delay in shift to electric buses
Kevin Schmit, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, March 24
 

In today’s Leading News,  a community program offers mentoring for Danville CCSD 118 elementary students. Negotiations continue between Champaign CUSD 4 and its teachers. Olympia CUSD 16 looks at post-high school “pathways.” Mattoon CUSD 3 approves a high school facilities project. Also in the news, CPS looks at an early start to the next school year.

New mentoring program supports students
Jennifer Bailey, Danville Commercial-News, March 22

Champaign teachers continue to negotiate with school board
WCIA, Champaign, March 21

How one McLean County high school helps students explore post-graduation plans
Connor Wood, Bloomington Pantagraph, March 21

Mattoon school board approves renovation project at high school
Mateusz Janik, Journal Gazette and Times Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, March 9

CPS releases calendar for 2022-23 school year
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, March 21

In today’s Leading News, education initiatives are growing statewide, addressing tutoring, the educator shortage, student mental health, and pandemic recovery. Also in the news, the General Assembly sees many education-related bills.
 
New state initiative designed to accelerate literacy, math learning
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 19
 
‘Learn as you earn’ programs pay southwest Illinoisans to become teacher’s aides
Kelsey Landis Belleville News-Democrat, March 22
 
Pritzker announces initiative to improve mental, behavioral health care for children
Grace Kinnicutt, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, March 21
 
School nurses reflect on ‘mountain of tasks’ that two years of pandemic work brings
Katrina J.E. Milton, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, March 10
 
How Illinois lawmakers hope to help teachers, students in session's final weeks
Taylor Vidmar, Decatur Herald and Review, March 21

In today’s Leading News, suburban schools bring current events to the classroom. The Teutopolis CUSD 50 school board forms a committee to discuss policy change necessitated by legislation. Morton CUSD 709 considers resolution for a Title IX complaint. ROWVA CUSD 208 deals with board and administration turnover. Also in the news, the teachers strike continues at Proviso THSD 209.

'Teachable moments': How history teachers are bringing war in Ukraine into suburban classrooms
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, March 14

Unit 50 committee discusses changes to policy
Zach Roth, Effingham Daily News, March 18

Federal investigation finds girls and boys sports programs unequal at Morton schools
Steve Stein, Peoria Journal Star, March 21

Superintendent, two board members, teacher resign from ROWVA School District Thursday night1
Samuel Lisec, Galesburg Register-Mail, March 11

Proviso superintendent defends actions during confrontation with school board member as teachers strike hits 10-day mark
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, March 18

In today’s Leading News, a new Illinois law allows students to take up to five mental or behavioral health days per year. Springfield District 186 will host public hearings on a proposal to consolidate three elementary schools. Orland Park District 135 votes against a plan to outsource custodial duties. Monticello School District shuffles staff to new positions. Also in the News, Maroa-Forsyth High School students finally get to perform “Les Miserables” after the performance was canceled at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
 
A new Illinois law allows mental health days for students. Experts urge parents to take advantage of it.
Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, March 18

School board to hear from public on proposed consolidation of 3 Springfield elementary schools
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, March 17

Orland District 135 Board votes down plan to outsource custodians
Michelle Mullins, Daily Southtown/Chicago Tribune, March 17
 

Monticello district completes hiring blitz with two more admins
Steve Hoffman, News-Gazette, Champaign, March 14

'Les Miserables' is back on at Maroa-Forsyth High School
Valerie Wells, Herald & Review, Decatur, March 18

In today’s Leading News, Chicago Public Schools mask policy has survived an initial challenge. Regional Office of Education 17 will offer high school seniors an “Adulting” Day. North Chicago High School is offering a class to prepare students to successfully enter the workforce. Also in the News, Maine THSD 207 will change its lunch policy to let some students leave campus.

CPS mask-optional policy upheld, for now, by labor board in blow to teachers union
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, March 16

Chicago Public Schools’ mask-optional rule survives initial challenge by teachers union
Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune, March 16
 

Heartland, ROE to offer 'adulting' sessions for high school seniors
Connor Wood, Pantagraph, Bloomington, March 17, 2022

North Chicago High work study program prepares students for life after graduation
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun/Chicago Tribune, March 16
 

Maine West will allow some seniors to leave campus for lunch
Tracy Gruen, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, March 16

In today’s Leading News, Chicago Public Schools defends its vaccine mandate. Decatur Public Schools resumes COVID-19 testing for students and staff. ISBE is offering trauma and pandemic recovery grants. Quincy Public Schools is focusing on student and staff mental health. Also in the news, updates on labor negotiations in two districts.
 
Chicago Public Schools defends its vaccine mandate for teachers in court amid separate fight with union over the end of the mask rule
Jeremy Gorner and Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune, March 15

Decatur Public Schools to resume COVID-19 testing on March 21
Valerie Wells, Herald & Review, Decatur, March 11

ISBE grants target trauma, recovery from pandemic
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 16

QPS focuses on staff mental health
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 15

Proviso High School District 209 classes canceled for 7th day, affecting 4,200 students; Riverdale students back in the classroom
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, March 15
 

In today’s Leading News, the debate continues with Chicago Public Schools “mask-optional” policy. R.O.W.V.A. CUSD 208 interviewed candidates to fill a vacated board position. Peoria Public Schools has approved name changes for five schools. Also in the news, The League of Women voters will host a virtual meeting to discuss the disinformation and disruption at school board meetings.
 
Parents split on the end of the mask mandate in Chicago Public Schools
Olivia Olander and Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune, March 14

Many kids still masked on first day without CPS mask mandate
Stefano Esposito, Chicago Sun-Times, March 14
 

ROWVA Board interviews six candidates to fill first empty board seat
Tom Martin, Register-Mail, March 15

5 schools in Peoria to get new names — but not without one added change first
Leslie Renken, Journal Star, March 15

League of Women Voters event addresses disinformation at school board meetings
Daily Herald Report, Daily Herald, March 14

In today’s Leading News, read about districts looking to add referendums to upcoming election ballots for school construction projects. Chicago Public Schools switch to mask-optional. Waukegan CUSD 60 is reviewing policies regarding police interviews with students. Also in the news, learn about one district’s robotics team.   
 

District 25 could go to voters twice this year in effort to fund additions for kindergarten
Cristopher Placek, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, March 14

Chicago Public Schools will still require masks in some settings; mask-optional policy begins Monday despite CTU opposition
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, March 14

Waukegan schools to review policies related to police-student interactions
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun/Chicago Tribune, March 9
 
‘This is what we do: we build robots’
 Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times, March 10

In today’s Leading News, some districts looks at cuts while others debate expansions to summer learning programs. Chicago Public Schools is considering changes to its selective enrollment admissions process. Also in the news, one central Illinois district debates reductions in force resolutions.
 

Unit 5 board approves some cuts, warns further changes necessary
Connor Wood, Pantagraph, Bloomington, March 10

District 87 prepares for summer school, launches text-based family engagement program
Kelsey Watznauer, Pantagraph, Bloomington, March 9

U-46 to spend $3.9 million to offer free summer learning activities for district grade-schoolers
Mike Danahey, Elgin Courier-News/Chicago Tribune, March 8

CPS selective enrollment schools to accept fewer affluent students under proposed change
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times, March 10

Decatur school board member questions reductions in force resolution
Valerie Wells, Herald & Review, Decatur, March 9

In today’s Leading News, concerns continue about the growing teacher shortage in Illinois, while school districts and the state look at ways bring in more educators.

'We are losing good teachers and staff every single day': Report reiterates pandemic shortages
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, March 9

Illinois residents worried about growing teacher shortage during COVID-19 pandemic, poll finds
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, March 9

QPS targets recruiting, making new hires welcome
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 9

Illinois offers new home for teachers in states targeting educators
Shepard Price, The Telegraph, Alton, March 10

Lieutenant governor visits UIS to talk education, teacher shortages
Andrew Adams, State Journal-Register, Springfield, March 10

In today’s Leading News, school boards across the state meet to discuss long-term financial issues.

District 203 board to consider keeping tax levy for debt off property owners' bills for 6th year
Kevin Schmit, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, March 9

Voters in Madison County city to decide on $40 million school construction project
Elizabeth Donald, Highland News Leader, March 7

Unit 5 board members say cuts will get the public’s attention, and a tax referendum may be next
Lyndsay Jones, WGLT, Normal, March 7

Panhandle Board Discusses Deactivation
Kyle Herschelman, Hillsboro Journal-News, March 3

 

In today’s Leading News, catch up with media reports on education-related legislative action. Also on the news, a fascinating find for the history books.

Illinois House passes bill to reimburse teachers for college tuition, fees
Grace Kinnicutt, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, March 3

House passes paid leave for vaccinated teachers in IL; Republicans call bill ‘unfair’
Peter Hancock CNI/ Belleville News-Democrat, March 2

CPS principals continue push for collective bargaining rights
Chicago Sun-Times, March 2

There aren't enough teachers to fill Illinois classrooms. Lawmakers want to change that
Andrew Adams, State Journal-Register/Kewanee Star Courier, February 25

Ernest Shackleton's Endurance ship found in Antarctica after 107 years
Lilit Marcus, CNN/The Southern Illinoisan, March 9

In today’s Leading News, two Illinois school districts are experiencing teacher strikes: Gen Geo Patton SD 133 in Riverdale, where students can attend, and Proviso THSD 209 in Maywood, where classes are canceled. In Champaign CUSD 4, offers have been posted and the conversation continues. Also in the news, CPS goes mask-optional, and a computing course in  East St. Louis SD 189 gets recognized for increasing access for girls.

Patton School District 133 teachers in Riverdale go on strike Tuesday
WLS, ABC 7, Chicago, March 8

Proviso District 209 classes canceled Tuesday, Wednesday over teacher strike
Alonzo Small, WGN-TV, Chicago, March 7

Unit 4 superintendent responds to teachers' frustrations amid negotiations
Anthony Zilis, Champaign News-Gazette, March 8

CPS ends mask mandate
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, March 7

East St. Louis High School’s computer science class is growing, especially among girls
Megan Valley, Belleville News-Democrat, March 4

In today’s Leading News, teachers are on strike in Proviso THSD 209. School districts deal with equity issues relating to history, identity, and representation. Also in the news, an Ukrainian Village school in Chicago rallies in support of the Ukrainian community.
 
Proviso School District 209 teachers go on strike
Jessica D'Onofrio, WLS/ABC 7, Chicago, March 4
 
'We're never going to change history': Proposed Peoria school renaming meets resistance
JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star, March 4
 
Dixon schools produce draft of optional gender identity form
Troy E. Taylor, Shaw Local/Sauk Valley News, February 25
 
Kankakee School Board questions weeding of Black history books
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, February 23
 
Elementary school community rallies in support of Ukraine
Josephine Stratman, Chicago Sun-Times, March 3

In today’s Leading News, IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike, who guided the state’s pandemic response, will be leaving that position later this month. Chalkbeat looks at proposed Illinois legislation on “curriculum transparency.” Read a follow-up on the 2017 law requiring schools test their water for lead. Paw Paw CUSD 271 considers its future. Also in the news, Indian Prairie CUSD 204 Board President Laurie Donahue responds to the substitute shortage.
 
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, a familiar face throughout the pandemic, leaving post as top Illinois public health official in mid-March
Dan Petrella and Clare Spaulding, Chicago Tribune, March 1
 
While red states debate CRT, Illinois looks at curriculum transparency
Samantha Smylie, Chalkbeat Chicago, March 1
 
Illinois elementary schools had to test their water for lead. What happened if they found it?
Peter Medlin, Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, March 2
 
Paw Paw School Board hears deactivation study report
Mendota Reporter, March 1
 
District 204 board president becoming a substitute teacher to draw attention to shortage in the district
Kevin Schmit, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, March 1

In today’s Leading News contract negotiations continue under threat of strike in three Illinois school districts. Also in the news, proposed education-related bills work through the legislative process.
 
Teachers in Riverdale District 133 say they’ll walk off job March 8 due to lack of contract
Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, February 23
 
Proviso Teachers Union sets a new strike date
Michael Romain, Forest Park Review, March 1
 
Teachers speak out about contract dispute
Evan Hensley, WCCU, Champaign, February 28
 
GOP state senators file education proposals on eve of deadline
Lizzie Seils, WEEK, Peoria, February 24
 
Illinois schools wouldn’t have to serve cheapest food possible under new bill
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, February 28
 

In today’s Leading News, marking a milestone of the school mask debate. Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3 votes to proceed with a  $98 million referendum to upgrade school facilities. Dixon Unit SD 170 discusses gender identity questions on registration documents. Also in the news, STEM grants offer investment in two Cook County school districts.

After 2 years of volatile debates, COVID-19 school mask mandate ends without fanfare in Illinois
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, February 28

Masks still rule in Chicago Public Schools ‘for now’ as rest of Illinois mostly ditches them; CEO says he’s reviewing guidance
Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune, February 28

Mahomet-Seymour school board approves putting $98 million referendum on ballot
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, February 24

Dixon schools produce draft of optional gender identity form
Troy E. Taylor, Shaw Local/Sauk Valley News, February 25

Students in Matteson, Rich Township say Amazon $1 million STEM investment will expand opportunities
Jeff Vorva, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, February 22