In today’s Leading News, there is positive news on the state’s COVID positivity rate. Student teachers find frustrations in remote platforms. The IHSA hopes to address scheduling later this month. Time runs out on the timeout and seclusion bill. Also in the news, Illinois has a new Speaker of the House.

Illinois' statewide positivity rate drops for fifth straight day Wednesday
Tim Kirsininkas, CNI/The Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale

Unmotivated Students, Confusing Requirements: Illinois Student Teachers Are Struggling
Sidney Madden, Illinois Newsroom, Urbana, January 5

IHSA sports remain on hold; Jan. 27 special meeting to address scheduling
Colin Likas, News-Gazette, Champaign, January 13

Time runs out for ban on locked seclusion and face-down restraints in Illinois schools; advocates vow to try again
Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen, Chicago Tribune, January 13

Chris Welch Set To Become First Black House Speaker As Madigan Fades Out
Hannah Meisel, NPR Illinois, January 13
 

In today’s Leading News, CPS deals with coronavirus quarantine upon return, and addresses teachers not in classrooms. Decatur SD 61 delays its return. Elgin-based School District U-46 considers in-person learning next week. Also in the news, students and schools join the conversation surrounding last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.

CPS teacher tests positive for COVID-19, forcing principal into quarantine during 1st week back
Jermaine Nolen and Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, January 12

CPS makes good on promise to cut off pay and access to remote learning platform for teachers who’ve refused to show up for in-person classes
Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas, Chicago Tribune, January 12

Decatur schools' return to in-person learning postponed over transportation issues
Decatur Herald and Review, January 14

U-46 leaders plan for return to classrooms Tuesday amid safety concerns
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, January 11

As teachers discuss Capitol riot with their classes, students want to know ‘why this happened’
Jennifer Johnson and George Castle, Pioneer Press/Park Ridge Herald Advocate, January 13

In today’s Leading News, the education component of the Illinois Black Caucus omnibus bill has passed the state House and Senate. School personnel may be included in the next wave of coronavirus vaccines. Also in the news, Chicago Public Schools re-opened its classrooms Monday, with Springfield SD 186 scheduled to do so Tuesday.

Black Caucus wins passage of education package, criminal justice reform still under discussion
Rachel Hinton, Chicago Sun-Times, January 11

Illinois to allow local health departments to start vaccinating those 65 and older, plus teachers and other essential workers
Robert Mccoppin and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, January 11

Southern Illinois health departments prepare for next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations
Marilyn Halstead, Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, January 11

CPS schools welcome students back for the first time in 10 months, even as Chicago extends its stay-at-home advisory and the teachers union continues to resist
Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas, Gregory Pratt, Laura Rodríguez Presa, Madeline Buckley, William Lee, and Hannah Leone, Chicago Tribune, January 11

District 186 readies itself for return of students to classrooms
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, January 11

 

In today’s Leading News, in session over the weekend, the Illinois General Assembly discusses the Black Caucus’ education reform plan, which includes early childhood education equity, college admissions, diversity in hiring practices for teachers, funding, and curriculum. Also in the news, CPS students return to the classroom while objections and concerns continue.
 
Illinois Lawmakers Return To Address The Next House Speaker And Black Caucus Agenda
Tony Arnold, WBEZ, Chicago, January 8
 
Lame Duck Day 3: Licensing officers, education reform, medical emergency
Mike Miletich, WEEK, Peoria, January 10
 
General Assembly bill would increase diversity in Illinois teacher workforce
Peter Hancock, CNI/Belleville News-Democrat, January 10
 
First Round of Chicago Public Schools Students to Return Monday, Concerns Remain
NBC-5, Chicago, January 10
 
Mayor Lori Lightfoot: Chicago Public Schools must and will reopen on Monday to students because ‘to deny parents this option is irresponsible and wrong’
Elyssa Cherney and Hannah Leone, Chicago Tribune, January 8

 

In today’s Leading News, U.S. education secretary Betsy DeVos has resigned. As the Illinois coronavirus case count grows past one million, the state looks ahead to vaccine availability for educators. Jesse Ruiz of the governor’s office and IDPH, meet with IHSA officials. Also in the news, the legislature convenes in Springfield.
 
DeVos said President Donald Trump’s rhetoric’ was an “inflection point.”
AP/Chicago Sun-Times, January 7
 
Illinois coronavirus case count surges past 1 million as state reports 8,757 new and probable cases, 177 additional deaths
Jamie Munks, Journal Gazette and Times Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, January 8
 
COVID-19 Q&A: When might teachers get vaccines?
Alison Bowen, Christen A. Johnson and Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, January 6
 
Illinois teachers could get vaccines within weeks, Pritzker says
Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times, January 7
 
IHSA meets with deputy governor, health department, but no timeline set for return of sports
Jim Benson, Pantagraph, Bloomington, January 8

Lame-duck session brings lawmakers back to Springfield
Zach Roth, State Journal-Register, Springfield, January 8

 

In today’s Leading News, coronavirus in Illinois: state officials hope to change mitigations next week. CPS teachers offer a proposal  under which they’d return. Teachers relate stories of the poverty they’ve witnessed during the shutdown of school facilities. Also in the news, Illinois elected officials and the education community respond to the January 6 events at the U.S. Capitol.

Some Illinois regions could have some mitigations loosened starting Jan. 15
Grace Barbic, CNI/ Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, January 6

Chicago Teachers Union proposes extended school year and optional reopening until teachers are vaccinated…
 Hannah Leone, Chicago Tribune, January 6

When teachers brought free lunch to kids amid COVID-19, they saw poverty up close
Samantha Hernandez, USA Today/Chicago Sun-Times, January 5

Illinois lawmakers condemn violence at US Capitol, two call it a ‘coup’ attempt
 Kelsey Landis, Belleville News-Democrat, January 6

Caring for Students in the Wake of a Traumatic News Event
Evie Blad, Education Week, January 6

In today’s Leading News, suburban school districts consider protocols for testing students for COVID-19. The Springfield SD 186 school board opts for hybrid learning. Many CPS students, teachers stay home on their scheduled first day in classrooms.
 
School districts to roll out COVID-19 saliva screenings
Lauren Rohr, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, January 6
 
University of Illinois’ COVID-19 saliva test moves closer to FDA approval but not fast enough to meet the demand ...
Elyssa Cherney, Chicago Tribune, January 5
 
District 186 school board, in 4-3 vote, opts to send students back under hybrid model
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, January 4
 
Chicago teachers defy district, refuse to teach inside schools amid safety concerns
Nader Issa, Cindy Hernandez, and Manny Ramos, Chicago Sun-Times, January 4
 
Half of CPS teachers expected to return to schools Monday failed to show up, as CEO calls out aldermen who oppose reopening plan ...
Hannah Leone, Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas, and Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune, January 5
 

In today’s Leading News, the state legislature sets the table for 2021. Also in the news, schools decide what mode of learning will begin when breaks end.
 
State lawmakers to face COVID-19, budget woes, redistricting, House speaker battle in 2021
Dean Olsen, State Journal-Register, December 31
 
Coronavirus Test Required For Lake Forest High School Students
Jonah Meadows, Lake Forest Patch, December 30
 
Dist. 229 school board pauses in-person learning over holiday break
Troy E. Taylor, Star Courier, Kewanee, December 28
 
District 203 backs decision to begin hybrid learning next month
Lauren Rohr, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, December 29
 
QPS "making it work" heading into second semester
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, December 26
 

In today’s Leading News, some CTU teachers intend to stay home and teach remotely when CPS buildings open in Chicago. The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission meets to move forward with recovery. Early childhood education has a statewide focus. The new year brings changes to student data privacy laws. Also in the news, high school students participating in the Sangamon CEO program slide into the new year with development of a new ice rink.  
 
 
Defying CPS, some Chicago Teachers Union members won’t return to schools Monday,
say they will teach remotely ‘until buildings are safe’
Diana Wallace and Morgan Greene, Chicago Tribune, January 3
 
Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission looks ahead to 2021
Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, December 23
 
Solving the preschool puzzle: State commission will recommend funding and other changes
Rachel Otwell, Illinois Times, Springfield, January 1
 
School Data Privacy Act Will Give Parents More Control Over Their Kids' Information
Peter Medlin, Northern Pubic Radio, DeKalb, December 27
 
'It brings joy in a year that hasn't had much of it'
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, January 3