In today’s Leading News, national education headlines cover book bans, immigration enforcement, issues before the Supreme Court, and federal funding.
States Are Banning Book Bans. Will It Work?
Sarah Schwartz, Education Week, January 7
Minneapolis Schools Offer Remote Learning As Tensions Rise Over Federal Immigration Enforcement
Rebecca Santana, Steve Karnowski, and Bianca Vázquez Toness, Associated Press, January 14
The Supreme Court deadlocked on religious charter schools. Round 2 is on the horizon.
Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, January 9
Supreme Court seems likely to uphold state bans on transgender athletes in girls and women’s sports
Mark Sherman , Associated Press/Chicago Tribune, January 13
Illinois joins suit after feds threaten billions in funding over Trump order targeting trans people — again
Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, January 13
States Are Banning Book Bans. Will It Work?
Sarah Schwartz, Education Week, January 7
Minneapolis Schools Offer Remote Learning As Tensions Rise Over Federal Immigration Enforcement
Rebecca Santana, Steve Karnowski, and Bianca Vázquez Toness, Associated Press, January 14
The Supreme Court deadlocked on religious charter schools. Round 2 is on the horizon.
Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, January 9
Supreme Court seems likely to uphold state bans on transgender athletes in girls and women’s sports
Mark Sherman , Associated Press/Chicago Tribune, January 13
Illinois joins suit after feds threaten billions in funding over Trump order targeting trans people — again
Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, January 13
In today’s Leading News, a headlines tour around the state: Shelbyville CUSD 4 aims for a referendum. Sycamore CUSD 427 discusses classroom AI. Vienna SD 55 builds for accessibility. Sherrard CUSD 200 students bring art to the community, and Joliet THSD 204 opens a student services center.
Shelbyville Referendum For Elementary School Building On March Ballot
Reid Kamhi, Taylorville Daily News, January 12
Sycamore District 427 to form AI rules for classroom use
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, December 16
Vienna Grade School opens accessible playground for inclusive play
Sasha Moore, KBSI, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, January 8
Sherrard High students start new window painting project across the Quad Cities
Cesar Toscano, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, January 11
‘More privacy for students’ - Joliet West opens new centralized center for student services
Jessie Molloy, Shaw Local/Joliet Herald News, January 7
Shelbyville Referendum For Elementary School Building On March Ballot
Reid Kamhi, Taylorville Daily News, January 12
Sycamore District 427 to form AI rules for classroom use
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, December 16
Vienna Grade School opens accessible playground for inclusive play
Sasha Moore, KBSI, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, January 8
Sherrard High students start new window painting project across the Quad Cities
Cesar Toscano, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, January 11
‘More privacy for students’ - Joliet West opens new centralized center for student services
Jessie Molloy, Shaw Local/Joliet Herald News, January 7
In today’s Leading News, communities discuss school closures in Joliet PSD 86 and Evanston/Skokie SD 65, and THSD 214 works through records of a school closed in the 1980s. Also in the news, a judge blocked the freezing of federal funds, and Illinois lawmakers talk budgets.
Proposed Joliet school closure faces opposition at public hearing
Felix Sarver, Joliet Herald news, January 11
District 65 board votes unanimously to begin Kingsley school closure process
Margo Milanowski, Evanston Roundtable, January 9
Student records from closed Arlington, Forest View high schools to be digitized, then shred
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, January 5
Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from freezing child care funding in Illinois, 4 other states
Kade Heather and Elleiana Green, Chicago Sun-Times, January 9
Illinois lawmakers return to Capitol facing $2.2B budget gap while pushing election-year affordability message
Jeremy Gorner and Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, January 11
Proposed Joliet school closure faces opposition at public hearing
Felix Sarver, Joliet Herald news, January 11
District 65 board votes unanimously to begin Kingsley school closure process
Margo Milanowski, Evanston Roundtable, January 9
Student records from closed Arlington, Forest View high schools to be digitized, then shred
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, January 5
Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from freezing child care funding in Illinois, 4 other states
Kade Heather and Elleiana Green, Chicago Sun-Times, January 9
Illinois lawmakers return to Capitol facing $2.2B budget gap while pushing election-year affordability message
Jeremy Gorner and Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, January 11
In today’s Leading News, news coverage of school district concerns and conversations around the state.
Rockford Public Schools, teachers struggle reaching compromise with brewing strike vote
Nathaniel Langley, WIFR, Rockford, January 6
Grant Funding Cuts Forces Du Quoin Schools to End After-School
WRXX, Centralia, December 18
Cyberattack under investigation by Coles County school district
WAND, Decatur, January 7
Western reviewing changes to graduation requirements
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, January 8
Pro Frisbee team moving to ETHS for 2026 season
Evanston Round Table, December 16
Rockford Public Schools, teachers struggle reaching compromise with brewing strike vote
Nathaniel Langley, WIFR, Rockford, January 6
Grant Funding Cuts Forces Du Quoin Schools to End After-School
WRXX, Centralia, December 18
Cyberattack under investigation by Coles County school district
WAND, Decatur, January 7
Western reviewing changes to graduation requirements
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, January 8
Pro Frisbee team moving to ETHS for 2026 season
Evanston Round Table, December 16
In today’s Leading News, school districts offer ideas for students contemplating their futures. Also in the news, immigration enforcement and its impact on school board decision-making.
UI offers popular courses to Rantoul, LeRoy high-schoolers
Rob Le Cates, Champaign News-Gazette, January 2
Lyons Township students bring home a national Emmy Award for sports coverage
Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, January 6
Alton School Board approves new hands-on healthcare, construction classes at high school
Chase Martin, Alton Telegraph, December 17
Program teaches bike safety, repair at Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville
Jason Koch, Edwardsville Intelligencer, December 16
Maine Township Dist. 207 officials say students missed class, critical social services amid immigration enforcement. Board OKs resolution hoping to quell fears.
Alan Kozeluh, Pioneer Press, December 16
East Aurora prepares for what’s next after immigration enforcement activity on school property in the fall
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, January 6
UI offers popular courses to Rantoul, LeRoy high-schoolers
Rob Le Cates, Champaign News-Gazette, January 2
Lyons Township students bring home a national Emmy Award for sports coverage
Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, January 6
Alton School Board approves new hands-on healthcare, construction classes at high school
Chase Martin, Alton Telegraph, December 17
Program teaches bike safety, repair at Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville
Jason Koch, Edwardsville Intelligencer, December 16
Maine Township Dist. 207 officials say students missed class, critical social services amid immigration enforcement. Board OKs resolution hoping to quell fears.
Alan Kozeluh, Pioneer Press, December 16
East Aurora prepares for what’s next after immigration enforcement activity on school property in the fall
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, January 6
In today’s Leading News, read about national education issues in the forefront. Also in the news, read more coverage of new state laws in Illinois.
States Are Banning Book Bans. Will It Work?
Sarah Schwartz, Education Week, January 7
Minneapolis Public Schools cancel classes for rest of the week
KARE-11, Minneapolis
Report: A college degree is most ‘promising path’ to a good job in Illinois
Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat, December 16
New laws: Illinois’ grocery tax to end, aquifer protections begin
Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore, CNI/Chicago Sun Times, January 3
New Illinois education laws focus on immigrant rights, AI in the classroom
Peter Hancock. CNI/Belleville News-Democrat, January 1
States Are Banning Book Bans. Will It Work?
Sarah Schwartz, Education Week, January 7
Minneapolis Public Schools cancel classes for rest of the week
KARE-11, Minneapolis
Report: A college degree is most ‘promising path’ to a good job in Illinois
Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat, December 16
New laws: Illinois’ grocery tax to end, aquifer protections begin
Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore, CNI/Chicago Sun Times, January 3
New Illinois education laws focus on immigrant rights, AI in the classroom
Peter Hancock. CNI/Belleville News-Democrat, January 1
In today’s Leading News, the Trump administration targets Illinois for a social services funding freeze, in spaces already hit by grant cuts. Also in the news, read coverage of new laws taking effect.
Federal government withholding $1 billion from Illinois meant for child care, family assistance
Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, January 6
Trump administration freezing $10 billion in social service funding for Illinois, four other blue states
Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times, January 6
Chicago nonprofit sues Department of Education over alleged ‘unlawful’ grant program cuts
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, December 29
Illinois rings in the New Year with hundreds of new laws
WSIU Public Broadcasting, January 5
Hundreds of new laws take effect in Illinois in 2026
State Journal-Register, Springfield, December 29
Federal government withholding $1 billion from Illinois meant for child care, family assistance
Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, January 6
Trump administration freezing $10 billion in social service funding for Illinois, four other blue states
Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times, January 6
Chicago nonprofit sues Department of Education over alleged ‘unlawful’ grant program cuts
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, December 29
Illinois rings in the New Year with hundreds of new laws
WSIU Public Broadcasting, January 5
Hundreds of new laws take effect in Illinois in 2026
State Journal-Register, Springfield, December 29
In today’s Leading News, school districts work through facilities emergencies, concerns, and plans. Also in the news, changes to federal vaccination policy reportedly won’t change recommendations in Illinois.
Kankakee’s Edison School deemed unsafe, to close immediately
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, January 6
Storm damages roof of junior high school in Livingston County
Molly Sweeny and Kate Moore, WCIA, Champaign, December 31
Carlock school parents, faculty oppose proposed closure
Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, December 17
Prairie Ridge High plans stadium glow-up including artificial turf, more seating
Michelle Meyer, Shaw Media/Northwest Herald, December 26
Feds’ decision to recommend fewer vaccines for kids will have ‘no bearing’ on Illinois vaccine guidance, top health official says, amid flu surge
Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, January 5
Kankakee’s Edison School deemed unsafe, to close immediately
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, January 6
Storm damages roof of junior high school in Livingston County
Molly Sweeny and Kate Moore, WCIA, Champaign, December 31
Carlock school parents, faculty oppose proposed closure
Drew Zimmerman, Bloomington Pantagraph, December 17
Prairie Ridge High plans stadium glow-up including artificial turf, more seating
Michelle Meyer, Shaw Media/Northwest Herald, December 26
Feds’ decision to recommend fewer vaccines for kids will have ‘no bearing’ on Illinois vaccine guidance, top health official says, amid flu surge
Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, January 5
In today’s Leading News, read about trends in education as the year begins.
Are Students ‘Quiet Quitting’? What the Workplace Trend Can Teach Us About K-12
Elizabeth Heubeck, Education Week, December 17
Rural schools hit by Trump’s grant cuts have few options for making up for the lost money
Annie Ma, Associated Press, December 18
Illinois teacher retention holds steady
Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree, Jacksonville Journal Courier, December 17
Herrin school district responds to rescission of federal community schools grant
Sasha Moore, WDKA, Cape Girardeau, December 19
Why these very different northern Illinois elementary schools have seen a big increase in homeless students
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, December 12
Are Students ‘Quiet Quitting’? What the Workplace Trend Can Teach Us About K-12
Elizabeth Heubeck, Education Week, December 17
Rural schools hit by Trump’s grant cuts have few options for making up for the lost money
Annie Ma, Associated Press, December 18
Illinois teacher retention holds steady
Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree, Jacksonville Journal Courier, December 17
Herrin school district responds to rescission of federal community schools grant
Sasha Moore, WDKA, Cape Girardeau, December 19
Why these very different northern Illinois elementary schools have seen a big increase in homeless students
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, December 12
Leading News
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