In today’s Leading News, police make an arrest in an investigation into a threat to a Peoria elementary school. The audit involving Paris Union SD 95 concludes. Collinsville CUSD 10 looks at enrollments and a possible school closure. Morrison CUSD 6 considers budget cuts. Also in the news, Decatur SD 61 facilities pass structural tests.

Canton man arrested for allegedly making school shooting threat, police say
Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star, April 24

School superintendent says IDPH has finished audit over misused funds
Jackson Plank, WTHI, Terre Haute, April 16

Collinsville District 10 considers closing an elementary school
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, April 18

Morrison Community School District begins exploring budget cuts
Jenna Webster, WQAD, Quad Cities, April 19

Four more Decatur school buildings pass structural tests
Tony Reid, Decatur Herald and Review, April 22
 

In today’s Leading News, school districts react and respond to school and student safety and security issues.

Mahomet-Seymour students exit through broken window as false alarm issuedv
Simmy Wood, WCIA, Champaign, April 24

University of Chicago charter school to pay $125,000 after video showed teachers mock special education student, call him ‘dumb’
Stacy St. Clair, Chicago Tribune, April 19

Georgetown-Ridge Farm adds AI-based gun-detection system
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, April 22

Fenton may get outside review of how it handled allegations of sexual abuse of students
Susan Sarkauskas, Daily Herald, April 18

Bloomington District 87 hears about security after school lockdown
D. Jack Alkire, Bloomington Pantagraph, April 17
 

In today’s Leading News, ongoing talks go on about Illinois’ pension system. Lake County school districts seek solutions to post-pandemic absenteeism. School districts put county school facility sales tax revenues to use.  Also in the Chicago Bears are now expected run a reverse on talks with the suburbs and remain on the lakefront.

Pritzker: Illinois ‘obviously’ needs to change 2010 law that shrunk pension benefits
Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois /Decatur Herald and Review, April 20

Lake County schools see increased absenteeism since pandemic; ‘When you change the dynamic, it changes a mindset’
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, April 18

For schools, 1 cent tax has been boon for aging facilities
Eden MacDougall, Jacksonville Journal Courier, April 20

Bears to unveil plans for domed stadium on lakefront Wednesday
Sean Hammond, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, April 23

Chicago Bears to announce plans Wednesday for new domed stadium on lakefront
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, April 22
 

In today’s Leading News, school district programs in the arts, instruction, and emergency response aim to support students. A Daily Herald piece looks at corporal punishment, private schools, and the law. Also in the news, remembering Columbine 25 years later.

Country Club Hills District 160 starts work on fine arts center, to offer dance, music programs
Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, April 20

"We think we're helping kids": After successful first year, QHS Flex Academy to expand
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 20

RTHS establishes emergency crisis response team, achieves Heart Safe School designation
Jeff Helfrich, Rochelle News-Leader, April 16

‘Proactive’ measure or ‘government overreach’? Lawmakers weigh ban on corporal punishment in private schools; most already prohibit it
By Jake Griffin, the Daily Herald, April 20, 2024

12 students and teacher killed at Columbine to be remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Associated Press, April 20
 

In today’s Leading News, issues that re attracting attention in the General Assembly, including the selective-enrollment bill for CPS. Also in the news, an opinion piece on board service by Gianina Baker, President of the Champaign Unit 4 Board of Education.

Education leaders seek added state funding to help districts accommodate influx of migrants
Peter Hancock, CNI/NPR Illinois, April 17

Galesburg-area students testify in Springfield on two pieces of legislation
Erich Murphy, Galesburg Register-Mail, April 18

Illinois lawmakers propose extending Chicago’s moratorium on school closures to 2027
Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago, April 17

What does Springfield's selective-enrollment bill mean for Chicago Public Schools?
Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, April 17

My Turn | What do school boards do, anyway?
Gina Baker, Champaign News-Gazette, April 16
 

In today’s Leading News, read local takes on big-picture issues: ADA accessibility, teacher contracts, conflict in the Gaza Strip, school resource officers, and student-teacher ratios.

School district responds to complaint
Gordon Woods. The Clinton Journal, April 17

CTU seeking most ‘ambitious’ demands ever in new contract, wants bargaining done in public
Sarah Karp | WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, April 16

Cultural club at Stagg offers support amid year that’s ‘posed unique challenges for our Arab students’
Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, April 11

‘Guardians for the city’: Inside the job of school resource officers in Peoria
Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star, April 16

Student-teacher ratios for every area public school
Jeff D'Alessio, Champaign News-Gazette, April 14

In today’s Leading News, get the latest on school facility improvements, planning, and financing.

Seneca High School unveils new gym, announces new tournament
Brian Hoxsey, Shaw Media Illinois Valley, April 10

U-46 considering publishing house property for new elementary school
Alicia Fabbre, Daily Herald, April 11

Alton Middle School set to debut auditorium after $1.4 million renovations
Dylan Suttles, Alton Telegraph, April 11

Galesburg District 205 Upgrades Junior-Senior High School
Deborah Moreno, Tri States Public Radio, Macomb, April 12

Lockport High School officials look to bonding authority after failed $85 million referendum
Michelle Mullins, Daily Southtown/Chicago Tribune, April 16
 

In today’s Leading News, the State Journal-Register looks back at deadline week for the General Assembly. Read about a childcare program at Thornton THSD 205 that helps teen parents stay in school. Oak Park-River Forest HSD 200 adjusts plans in the wake of a security incident. Homewood SD 153 seeks student fees. Also in the news, the dangers of “Assassins.”

Illinois Senate passes more than 200 bills during deadline week. Here are 4 key takeaways
Hope Gadson and Patrick M. Keck, State Journal- Register, Springfield, April 15

Free infant care center is a safety net for teen parents in Thornton District 205, allowing them to stay in school
Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, April 13

OPRF details its response to school shooting threat: Changes in internal, external communications underway
Bob Skolnik, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, April 3

District 153 hires collection agency to recoup student fees
Marilyn Thomas, Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle, April 12

Senior follies: Police say high school ‘Assassins’ game is dangerous
Susan Sarkauskas, Charles Keeshan, Daily Herald, April 11
 

In today’s Leading News, Arlington Heights-area school districts address the Bears. A report looks at ESSER spending. Read coverage about the legal limits on school absences in Illinois. Not who you think -- a national story shows the dangers of deepfakes and calls for safeguards and consequences. Also in the news, a suburban family’s efforts show the difficulties of therapeutic placement for children with special needs.

Schools’ tax attorney to Bears: Dismiss your appeal
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, April 11

Report analyzes Illinois' oversight of pandemic aid spending by schools
Kankakee Daily Journal, April 11

How much school can I allow my child to skip in Illinois? Here’s what the law requires
Meredith Howard, Belleville News Democrat, March 21

Teen Girls Confront an Epidemic of Deepfake Nudes in Schools
Natasha Singer, New York Times, April 10

Unable to find a school for their son, a Downers Grove family navigates special education with no answers
Alysa Guffey, Chicago Tribune, April 8
 

In today’s Leading News, ESSER funds are “down to the wire.” Also in the news, school boards face local concerns and controversy regarding security, racial insensitivity, and personnel issues.

Spending ESSER Funds Will Come Down to the Wire for Some Districts. Here’s Why
Mark Lieberman, Education Week, April 5

OPRF details its response to school shooting threat
Bob Skolnik, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, April 3

D97 under fire amid controversy over lesson about cotton gins
Amaris E. Rodriguez, Oak Park Journal, April 5

Bartlett High School principal to seek public hearing on accusation of changing grades
Alicia Fabbre, Daily Herald, April 10

Moline-Coal Valley school board votes to censure member Farrell over dating app allegations
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, April 9
 

In today’s Leading News, state discusses adding more financial literacy lessons to the core curriculum. On final count, Glenbard SD 87’s referendum is approved by voters. IDNR announces field trip grants. Also in the news, with local boards experiencing turmoil, the Champaign News-Gazette looks at board service.

Efforts to improve financial literacy education in Illinois gain traction
Jackie Dulen, Chicago Sun-Times, April 8

Glenbard Dist. 87’s $183 million request approved by 404 votes
Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald, April 10

IDNR announces grants for 107 school field trips
Mateusz Janik, Bloomington Pantagraph, April 9

Regional superintendent waiting on standby
Luke Taylor, Champaign News-Gazette, April 11

So you wanna be a school board member? Here are 25 things you ought to know.
Jeff D'Alessio, Champaign News-Gazette, April 5
 

In today’s Leading News, read about the latest coverage of some of education’s big issues.

Honor or shame? New legislation sparks Native American mascot debate again in Illinois
Patrick M. Keck, Springfield State Journal- Register, April 9

Maia Kobabe’s ‘Gender Queer’ tops list of most criticized library books for third straight year
Associated Press and Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, April 8

Palos and Orland school districts, Jewish writer clash over reason her talks discontinued
Hank Sanders, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, April 7

Protesters march against display of Confederate flag, swastikas near Belleville school
Lexi Cortes, Belleville News-Democrat, April 6

Number of students receiving Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships soared in program’s final year, according to state data
Alysa Guffey, Chicago Tribune, April 6
 

In today’s Leading News, read and see local coverage of Monday’s solar eclipse.

Total Solar Eclipse
The Southern Illinoisan, April 8

'It's pretty cool': Students-turned-scientists ready for Monday's eclipse
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, April 7

Eyes to the sky: How schools are using Monday’s solar eclipse as teaching moment
Madhu Krishnamurthy, Daily Herald, April 8

Solar eclipse lives up to its hype in Illinois
Adriana Pérez, Avani Kalra, and Kate Armanini,  Chicago Tribune, April 9

A collection of photos shows the eclipse in Kankakee County, Chicago and beyond
Kankakee Daily Journal, April 8
 

In today’s Leading News, school principals work to alleviate the educator shortage. Lebanon CUSD 9 works its way into financial health. Rockford CUSD 205 communicates about long-term planning. Barrington CUSD 220 seeks a November referendum. Also in the news, in Indiana, schools seek solutions when cellphones are banned in classrooms.

School principals get creative to keep their staff in the classrooms
Cory Turner, NPR, April 1

St. Clair County school district is tackling decades-long budget trouble. Here’s how
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, April 4

RPS 205 finishes public feedback for $180 million Facilities Master Plan
Nathan Langley, WREX, Rockford, April 3

Barrington District 220 officials lay out capital needs, want taxpayer to consider nod to $45M-$75M referendum
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Pioneer Press/Barrington Courier, April 2

Indiana lawmakers ban cellphones in class. Now it's up to schools to figure out how
Kirsten Adair, Indiana Public Broadcasting, April 4

 

In today’s Leading News, school districts prepare for Monday’s solar eclipse, and other news from the great outdoors.

Some Illinois schools canceling classes, dismissing early for eclipse
David C.L. Bauer, Alton Telegraph, March 31

Staring at solar eclipse can damage your eyes for months if you don’t use protection, Chicago doctors say
Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, March 28

Metro-east school districts adapt for Monday’s solar eclipse. Here’s how
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, April 3

Meridian High School ag program receives endowment
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, March 22

Neoga students plant nearly 1,500 trees on campus
Rob Stroud, Journal Gazette & Times Courier, Charleston/Mattoon, March 28
 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of bills and discussions in the General Assembly. Also in the news, Rockford CUSD 205 offers counselling to students after students are killed in two tragic violent incidents.

Student teachers rarely get paid. New plans in the Illinois General Assembly hope to change that.
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, April

Lawmakers question Pritzker’s plan for new early childhood agency
Peter Hancock, CNI/ Bloomington Pantagraph, April 3

Calhoun School District Officials Asking Supporters to File Witness Slips Against Mascot Prohibition Bill
Benjamin Cox, WLDS, Jacksonville, April 2

Illinois bill seeks to ban Native American mascots
Maribeth M. Wilson. Shw Media/Illinois Valley News, April 2

RPS 205 offering grief counseling for students, staff
Derek Bayne, WREX, Rockford, April 3
 

In today’s Leading News, responders assist school riders and staff when a school bus got stuck in floodwaters. Effingham CUSD 40 adds supports for English-learning students. Sycamore CUSD 427 students visit an Illinois Supreme Court session. Decatur SD 61 celebrates student musicians. Also in the news, Chicago voters being to learn about school board elections.

School Bus Occupants Rescued from Flood Water
WSPY, Plano, April 2

Unit 40 adapting to influx of students learning English as second language
Nick Taylor, Effingham Daily News, March 28

Sycamore students watch government in action during Illinois Supreme Court stop in DeKalb
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, March 27

A love of music keeps student musicians dedicated to their craft
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, March 23

Chicago’s first school board elections mean crash course time for voters, candidates
Sarah Karp and Nader Issa, WBEZ/Sun-Times, Chicago, March 27
 

In today’s Leading News, the State-Journal Register reports on bills that could impact schools. The Dispatch-Argus looks at changes in teacher salaries in Illinois and Iowa. An Urbana school goes remote due to absences. Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD 307 meets with its community on a referendum. Also in the news, a national outlet features a local school board member, Bushra Amiwala of Skokie SD 73.5.

Here are 5 bills that could impact your child's classroom in Illinois
Hope Gadson and Patrick M. Keck, Springfield State Journal- Register, April 1

No joke: Urbana Middle School shifts to e-learning due to 'last minute' absences
Jeff D'Alessio, Champaign News-Gazette, March 31

Despite increases, salary just one factor Quad-Cities teachers choosing where to work consider
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, April 1

BBCHS continues seeking community input in referendum process
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, March 30

26-year-old is one of first Gen Z women to hold public office in the U.S., works at Google and is getting her MBA—how she balances it all
Morgan Smith, CNBC, March 30
 

In today’s Leading News, Effingham CUSD 40 discusses a sales tax referendum. Fenton CHSD 100 (Bensenville) places superintendent on leave in a continuing investigation. Granite City CUSD 9 releases information about a campus incident. Kankakee SD 111 warns parents against threats to the schools. Also in the news, following the sun: See which school districts have opted to close for the April 8 eclipse.

Unit 40 Board OKs 1% sales tax question, discipline policy changes
Nick Taylor, Effingham Daily News, March 29

Fenton superintendent put on administrative leave
Susan Sarkauskas, Daily Herald, March 20

Police Investigate: Granite City District 9 Superintendent Issues Statement About Weapon Incident
Dan Brannan, River Bender, Alton, March 28

Walters: threats to schools from adults won't be tolerated
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, March 28

More than 70 school districts in Illinois to close for the upcoming solar eclipse
Kiersten Riedford, NBC-5 Chicago/WAND Decatur, March 28