In today’s Leading News, CPS and CTU have reached a contract agreement. Also in the news, follow legislative action on education related bills.

CTU members approve contract with historic support, avoiding strike as union prepares to fight federal threats
Nell Salzman,  Chicago Tribune, April 14

What’s in the Chicago Teachers Union contract?
WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times, April 14

After Wirtz proposal in Mundelein, Illinois House passes bill allowing impact fees for new school buildings
Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald, April 10

Homeschool bill stalls in Illinois House, but sponsor says it’s still alive
Molly Parker and Beth Hundsdorfer, CNI/ Decatur Herald and Review, April 14

Bill that calls for banning Native American school team names, mascots passes Illinois House
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, April 11
 

In today’s Leading News, a look at the impact of national conversations on local districts.

Illinois State Board of Education rebuffs Trump administration demand to reject DEI in schools
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, April 9

Education Department withdraws from plan to address discipline disparities for Native students
Annie Ma and Sarah Raza, Associated Press, April 10

How to Teach Tariffs: 8 Resources and Lessons
Marina Whiteleather, Education Week, April 9

Hundreds crowd Deerfield school board meeting over transgender student dispute
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune,  April 11

Native American mascot ban clears the Illinois House, heads to Senate
Bridgette Fox, CNI/UIS Public Affairs Reporting, April 10

 

In today’s Leading News, Rantoul THSD 193 discovers a time capsule, Illinois debuts an online tool showing measles vaccination rates, Belleville THSD 201 adds to the Wall of Fame, and quad cities schools look for new funding opportunities after cuts to USDA local food programs. In other news, Decatur SD 61 misses deadline to spend COVID funds. 

Rantoul High renovation turns up a time capsule 
Dave Hinton, the News-Gazette, April 9, 2025 

Illinois unveils online tool showing measles vaccination rates by school 
Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, April 9, 2025 

An NFL QB, an alt-country band and more: Who’s next on Belleville West’s Wall of Fame?  
Madison Lammert, Belleville News-Democrat, April 10, 2025 

Decatur schools on hook for $1.9 million after feds say deadline passed to spend COVID funds 
Valerie Wells, Herald & Review, Decatur, April 9, 2025 



 

In today’s Leading News, a new poll shows desire for more funding for schools, Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3 students get to use a scanning electronic microscope, Quincy SD 172 CEO class gives back to the community, and Millstadt CCSD 160 starts construction on a playground that will be available to the local community. In other news, Oak Lawn CHSD 229 adds Spanish language books to the school library thanks to a grant. 

New poll shows most Illinois residents want more funding for public schools 
Anna Savchenko, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, March 26 

From butterfly wings to snack chips — Mahomet-Seymour students get a different perspective 
Dave Hinton, the News-Gazette, March 25, 2025 

CEO class gives back to support community 
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 27 

Metro-east school district putting $2.5M into project the community can use too  
Madison Lammert, Belleville News-Democrat, March 22  

Grant for books in Spanish at Oak Lawn Community High School to help students ‘see themselves in what they read,’ 
Janice Neumann, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, March 28 

In today’s Leading News, passion drives success for a Naperville teacher, both in and out of the classroom. Aurora School District looks at lessons learned from the pandemic. One Quincy student is headed to the International Science and Engineer Fair. The Danville Board of Education is likely to act on a settlement with their former superintendent. Also in the news, a Clinton High School class interior design class is making the old new again.

Passion for learning drives Naperville teacher’s success in the classroom and on the track
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, April 8

Five years since start of pandemic, Aurora school districts talk technology, mental health and lessons learned
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, March 26

QHS student headed to International Science and Engineering Fair
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 7

Danville school board set to act on superintendent settlement
Jennifer Bailey, News-Gazette, Champaign, April 7

Clinton students bring new life to old furniture
Valerie Wells, Herald & Review, Decatur,  April 7
 

In today’s Leading News, the U.S. Supreme Court allows cuts to funds for teacher-training, while the U.S. Department of Education says schools must follow Trump Administration DEI rules to receive federal dollars. Some schools are looking at state funding to make up for lost USDA money. Southland schools look to create career and technical facility at a former high school. Also in the news, learn what drove voter turnout in the April 1 elections.

Supreme Court allows Trump administration to cut teacher-training money, for now
Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, April 4

K-12 schools must say no to DEI to receive federal money, Trump administration says
Colin Binkley, Associated Press, and WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times staff, Chicago Sun-Times, April 3

Some Quad-Cities schools look to state funding after cuts to USDA local foods program
Olivia Allen, Dispatch-Argus, Quad Cities, April 7

Southland schools hope to create career and technical center at former Rich East High School
Olivia Stevens, Daily Southtown, April 4

What drove voter turnout in some suburban counties this election?
Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, April 6

In today’s Leading News, more results from last week’s school board elections. A western Illinois school district is reviewing attendance boundaries. Also in the news, a poll shows Illinois residents oppose book-bans and feel the teaching profession has become more difficult.

'Final Four' defeats Ashley Fischer in contentious Morton school board race
Christina Avery, Peoria Journal Star, April 2

Several school board battles unfolded in Northwest suburbs Tuesday
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, April 1

School board incumbents fare well in DuPage County
Alicia Fabbre, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, April 1

Task force reviewing QPS attendance boundaries
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 2

Poll finds majority of Illinoisans oppose book bans, think teaching has become harder
Tom Ackerman, State Journal- Register, Springfield, March 27

In today’s Leading News, students and educators advocate for career and technical education funding. Millstadt CCSD 160 and Oswego CUSRD 308 make plans with their communities. Minooka CCSD 201 presents a hybrid school-day schedule for discussion. Also in the news, efforts are underway to restore a perennial field trip spot.

Students, women in trades advocate for more career and technical education
Jessie Nguyen and Bridget Craig Medill Illinois News Bureau/Capitol News Illinois, Quincy Herald Whig, April 3

Metro-east school district putting $2.5M into project the community can use too 
Madison Lammert, Belleville News-Democrat, March 22

Expanding digital skills, college readiness two goals in Oswego 308’s new strategic plan
Eric Schelkopf, Kendall County Now, March 28

Minooka School Superintendent Introduces Hybrid Schedule
Tina Morrison, WCSJ, Morris, March 28

After years of neglect, an Illinois village with ties to Abraham Lincoln is getting a refresh
John O’Connor, AP/Chicago Tribune, March 31

 

In today’s Leading News, some regional results from Tuesday’s elections.

Results roll in for Rockford and DeKalb school board races
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, April 1

Fox Valley school board incumbents appear headed to victory, early returns show
Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald, April 1

Extremely close races for Salem and Centralia High School Boards
Bruce Kropp. WJBD, Salem, April 2

Final numbers reported for Madison County
Jason Koch, Edwardsville Intelligencer, April 1

Hancock voters favor LaHarpe school building project, reject sales tax
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 2
 

In today’s Leading News, read about early returns on county sales tax propositions. CPS and CTU have reportedly reached an agreement on a new contract. Also in the news, last week’s storms damaged school facilities in Century CUSD 100 in Pulaski County.

1% School Facility Occupation Tax passes in McLean County
D. Jack Alkire, Bloomington Pantagraph, April 1, 2025

Hancock County voters turn down school sales tax
Jayla Louis, WGEM, Quincy, April 1

CTU bargainers approve tentative contract deal. Here’s what you need to know.
Sarah Karp and Nader Issa, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, March 31

CPS, teachers union reach proposed contract deal after a year of tough negotiations
Nell Salzman, Alice Yin, and Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, April 1

Confirmed tornado touches down near Pulaski County
Paul Wilcoxen, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, March 31
 

In today’s Leading News, school board candidates are on the ballots to day in Illinois, as are other local school district issues.

School building bonds on Tuesday’s ballot in LaHarpe
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 28

Waltham makes push for April 1 vote to expand school
Tom Collins, Shaw Local/Illinois Valley, March 28

The race is on: village president, school board seats up among those up in April 1 election
Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal- Register, March 24

La Grange schools referendum addresses infrastructure projects
Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, March 25

School facilities sales tax faces Hancock voters
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 28

Bullying policies. Precautions. Politics. Morton school board race has been intense
Christiana Avery, Peoria Journal Star, March 30