In today’s Leading News, the Associated Press looks at IDEA-related impacts of cuts to the U.S. Department of Education. CPS’s new “success plan” for Black students hits backlash on day one. Decatur SD 61 discusses new facility configurations. Also in the news, hope for clear skies on Thursday for must-see viewing.

Kids’ disability rights cases stalled as Trump began to overhaul Education Department
Heather Hollingsworth, Collin Binkley, Annie Ma, Associated Press, February 20

Chicago Public Schools launches ‘success plan’ aimed to help Black students
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, February 21

Chicago Public Schools’ Black student success plan hit with federal legal challenge
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, February 22

Roadmap for change: Committee unveils five proposals for Decatur school configuration
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, February 22

Ready for the Great Planet Parade? How, when and where to see 7 planets over Illinois
Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star, February 24

 

In today’s Leading News, read a roundup of the news on a statewide limit of cellphones in schools.

Pritzker backs ‘screen-free schools’ in Illinois, calls for cellphone ban in classrooms
John O’Connor, AP/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 19

Will County schools react to Pritzker’s plan to limit cellphones in classrooms
Jessie Molloy, Joliet Herald-News, February 20

Chicago students share mixed feelings on Pritzker proposal to restrict classroom use of cellphones
Nader Issa, Cindy Hernandez and Mary Norkol, Chicago Sun-Times, February 21

Pritzker pushes to ban cellphones in Illinois schools
Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register, February 24

Illinois Governor Proposes School Cell Phone Ban
Amy Rock, Campus Safety Magazine, February 21
 

In today’s leading news, the Orion CUSD 223 community looks at lunch fees. Rantoul City SD 137 offers info on grade-level centers. CPS and Mayor Brandon Johnson discus pension payments. Quincy SD 172 students learn local history. Also in the news, music is in the air.

Orion students rack up $23,000 in late lunch fees
Lisa Hammer, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, February 21

Rantoul City Schools come up with compromise on grade-level centers
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, February 20

Mayor Brandon Johnson escalates push for CPS to pick up pension payment, borrow more money
Nell Salzman, Alice Yin, and Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, February 19

Fifth-grade program highlights 'treasures in their own backyard'
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, February 12

More than 100 middle, high school students to visit SIU for inaugural Woodwind Day
Pete Rosenbery, WSIU, Carbondale, February 14
 

In today’s leading news, read coverage and analysis of Wednesday’s budget address by Governor JB Pritzker. Also in the news, Metro East communities talk about the ED, DEI, and federal funding.  

Pritzker proposes $2B in spending growth without new income or service taxes
Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois/Shaw Local Media, February 19

Gov. JB Pritzker proposes belt-tightening budget with no new taxes, invokes Nazism in bashing Trump
Rick Pearson, Jeremy Gorner, Olivia Olander, Addison Wrigh, and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, February 20

Pritzker calls $55.2B budget ‘responsible and balanced’ – but warns Trump policies could upend it
Ben Szalinski, Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois/ Herald-Whig, Quincy, February 20

Budzinski, teachers unions are worried about Trump's plan to ax Education Department
Will Bauer, St. Louis Public Radio, February 17

Metro-east teachers fear closing the Department of Education will harm schools. Here’s how 
Madison Lammert, Belleville News-Democrat, February 20
 

In today’s leading news, read about national education news and local response.

Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money
Collin Binkley, Associated Press, February 18

Donald Trump calls for withholding federal money from schools and colleges that require COVID vaccines
Collin Binkley, AP/Chicago Tribune, February 14

Superintendent Preaching Calm in Beecher
Jeff Vorva, The Vedette, Crete, February 16

What can CPS schools and parents do in the face of Donald Trump’s mass deportation threat?
Sarah Karp, WBEZ/ Chicago Sun-Times, February 14

Orion High School teacher, Venezuelan native could be deported mid-school year
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, February 17
 

In today's Leading News, it’s not only snow that causes “snow days” these days. Also in the news, school districts study absenteeism.

Water main break causes Skokie and Evanston boil orders, flooding and students to be sent home
Richard Requena, Pioneer Press, Chicago suburbs, February 14

Staff absences cause Danville schools to close Tuesday
Jennifer Bailey, Champaign News-Gazette, February 17

Catalytic converters stolen from Illinois district’s school buses, forcing students to stay home
Andy Koval, Angelica Sanchez, Eli Ong, WGN, Chicago, February 10

Rantoul, Danville school districts announce closures for Tuesday
WCIA, Champaign, February 17

Chronic absenteeism drops in Riverside
Gregg Voss, Riverside Brookfield Landmark, February 11

Quad-Cities school districts look to curb absences with local, state changes
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, February 10
 

In Friday’s Leading News, finance, funding, and friendship.

Morris High School’s working cash bonds come in at slightly lower interest rate
Michael Urbanec, Morris Herald-News, February 13

Carlinville School Board approved bonds totaling $5,000,000 at February meeting
Erin Sanson, Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat, February 12

District 153 sells bonds for Willow School improvements
Marilyn Thomas, Homewood Flossmoor Chronicle, February 9

Unit 1 approves real estate contract
Terra Temple, Metropolis Planet, February 6

Kindergarten tea provides fun way to practice friendship skills
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, February 13
 

In today’s Leading News, Illinois school leaders respond to the impacts of national issues.

Trump's education secretary may be asked to dismantle the Education Department. Here's what it does
Annie Ma, AP Education Writer, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, February 13

How Trump’s education plans might affect Illinois schools
Nader Issa and Lisa Kurian Philip, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, February 10

What could a dissolution of the Department of Education mean for Peoria County schools?
Joe Deacon, WCBU, Peoria, February 11

For high school sports, decisions loom: Follow Trump or state law on transgender athletes
Steve Karnowsk/AP, Alton Telegraph, February 7

Educators Reeling as Trump Takes ‘Sledgehammer’ to Education Department Contracts
Sarah D. Sparks and Alyson Klein, Education Week, February 11
 

In today’s Leading News, it’s a wintry week around Illinois. Also in the news, supporters lament the closing of an outdoor education center in northern Illinois.

Multiple schools close due to winter weather
Alexis Barrett, Metropolis Panet, February 11

Will County school closures for Wednesday: Many adopting e-learning schedules
Shaw Local News Network, Will County, February 12

Icy forecast forces metro-east schools to close or schedule e-learning day.
Belleville News-Democrat, February 1

Quad-Cities area school closures, e-learning, schedule changes
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, February 12

A look back on Lorado Taft after its closing
Murphy Obershaw, Galena Gazette, February 11
 

In today’s Leading News, Sauk Valley area schools look at programs that help students and families get food. Kankakee SD 111 looks at curriculum and instruction. McLean County considers the “penny tax.” Naperville CUSD 203 addresses possible schedule changes. Also in the news, a former student celebrates Black History with Decatur SD 61.

Sauk Valley-area schools fight food insecurity
Brandon Clark, Sauk Valley News/Shaw Media, February 3

Kankakee Dist. 111 to audit curriculum, instruction
Stephanie Markham, Kankakee Daily Journal, February 0

Rural McLean County school superintendents foresee many benefits from 1% sales tax
Braden Fogerson, WGLT, Bloomington, February 6

Naperville D203 parents and teachers pack school board meeting on schedule changes
Michelle Mullins, Naperville Sun, February 4

Former student donates Black History Month display to Harvey’s Maya Angelou School
Olivia Stevens, Daily Southtown, February 7
 

In today’s Leading News, continued coverage across the state of schools and communities reacting to the threats of deportation.

Illinois, Chicago sued by Trump administration over immigration laws that 'thwart' feds
Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal- Register, February 6

Under Trump administration, some Chicago students think twice about applying for financial aid
Lisa Kurian Philip, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, February 6

North suburban schools prepare for potential immigration raids
Richard Requena, Pioneer Press, Chicago Suburbs, February 5

West Harvey Dixmoor Elementary District 147 prepares for immigration enforcement as parents voice concerns
Olivia Stevens,  Daily Southtown, February 4

Olivia Allen: QC school leaders talk federal funding uncertainty, immigration enforcement
Olivia Allen, the Dispatch-Argus, February 3, 2025
 

In today’s Leading News, school districts look at long-term facility planning.

Moline-Coal Valley approves floor, site plans for Lincoln-Irving expansion
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, January 29

Washington High School gym will get a $2.67 million makeover
Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star, January 30

Arlington Heights District 25 set to borrow final $15 million for kindergarten and building projects
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, January 29

Morris Community High School open house shows designs, cost for potential addition
Michael Urbanec, Morris Herald News, February 3

Prospect Heights Dist. 23 launching information campaign for $19.3 million referendum
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, February 5
 

In today’s Leading News, flu closed schools in Western CUSD 12 in Barry las week, and weather is keeping students home this week. Read Illinois coverage of the potential shuttering of the U.S. Department of Education. Also in the news, learn about the school “ticketing” bill proposed in the General Assembly.

Western CUSD 12 shuts down for the week amid Influenza A outbreak
Benjamin Schmidt, January 29

Multiple Chicago area schools closed, delayed due to icy conditions: Full List
NBC 5, Chicago, February 6

Pritzker stresses importance of federal money for Illinois schools
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, February 4

How much do Illinois school districts rely on federal funding?
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, February 4

Lawmakers push bill to stop schools from issuing fines as punishment
George Wiebe, Chicago Sun-Times, February 4
 

In today’s Leading News, ProPublica continues its  reporting on police ticketing in schools. Groups across Illinois are seeking funds for after-school programs. Decatur SD 61 connects with its community. Orland Park CUSD 230 details its recent teachers contract agreement, and CPS talks continue.

Hoping to ‘Trump proof’ students’ rights, Illinois lawmakers aim to end police ticketing at school
Jodi S. Cohen and Jennifer Smith Richards | ProPublica/Chicago Tribune, February 4

Groups demand release of after-school program funding
Peter Hancock, CNI/The Southern Illinoisan, February 3

Community provides input, has questions about Decatur School District's Roadmap 2030 plan
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, January 31

Orland Park District 230 Board celebrates teacher contract, debates finals schedule
Olivia Stevens, Daily Southtown, January 31

Chicago Public Schools and teachers union continue haggling over a new contract. What’s settled and what’s next?
Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, February 2
 

In today’s Leading News, read national and statewide takes on the recent NAEP score release. Also in the news, the Trump administration is looking at cuts to programs and staff in the Department of Education.

NAEP scores show disheartening trends for the lowest-performing students
Kalyn Belsha and Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, January 28

Illinois students remain at or above national average, but below pandemic levels
Peter Hancock, CNI/Herald-Whig, Quincy, January 31

Illinois eighth grade students are ahead of the curve nationwide in reading, math
Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal- Register, February 3

How did Illinois students do on the ‘nation’s report card’ in 2024?
Samantha Smylie, Chalkbeat Chicago/Chicago Sun-Times, January 31

Trump is weighing big cuts to the U.S. Education Department
Cory Turner, NPR, February 3
 

In today’s Leading News, CPS officials look at the potential of a teachers strike. Also in the news school districts consider the implications of the new administration’s immigration policies.

As negotiations continue, Chicago schools chief Pedro Martinez says he ‘can’t even imagine the need’ for a teachers strike
Rebecca Johnson and Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, January 30

Metro-east schools won’t be ‘battleground for immigration policy,’ superintendents say
Lexi Cortes and Mike Koziatek, Belleville News-Democrat, January 21

What happened at Hamline Elementary on Friday? Mistaken ICE report in Chicago is still sparking fear.
Nell Salzman, Ikram Mohamed, Jeremy Gorner, and Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, January 29

Naperville, DuPage officials and organizations explain policies, preparation for heightened federal immigration enforcement
Tess Kenny,  Naperville Sun, January 28

Khelghati: Oswego District 308 can’t collect or maintain student immigration records
Eric Schelkopf, Shaw Media Kendall County, January 29