In today’s Leading News, there has been an about-face on federal funds that were being withheld. Also in the news, districts discuss issues of safety and security.

Education Department says it will release billions in remaining withheld grant money for schools
Collin Binkley and Annie Ma, Associated Press/Chicago Tribune, July 25

Morris police and Grundy 911 dispatch granted camera access for emergency use in Morris High School
Michael Urbanec, Morris Herald News, July 25

Salem Community High School still assessing damage from Wednesday lightning strike
Austin Williams, WJBD, Salem, July 25

Village of Morton, school district split $215,000 cost of making crosswalks safer
Steve Stein, WCBU, Peoria, July 25

What are the benefits of having police officers in O’Fallon schools?
Lynn Venhaus, Belleville News-Democrat July 17

 

In today’s Leading News, read about playgrounds, purchases, projects, plans, packs, and … punk.

District 87 OKs Stevenson playground plans, braces for US funding freeze
D. Jack Alkire, Bloomington Pantagraph, July 16

District 218 discusses construction, financing for projects at Eisenhower, Shepard
Olivia Steven, Daily Southtown, July 16

How is Peoria using the former Quest school buildings? Here's what we know
Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star, July 18

YMCA Backpack Attack set for Aug. 2
Donnette Beckett, Decatur Herald and Review, July 20

Punk-inspired superintendent transforms Bunker Hill schools with innovation and culture
Chase Martin, Alton Telegraph, July 22
 

In today’s Leading News, read reporting on big-picture topics with local consequences. 

CPS board members ask Pritzker, lawmakers to call special session on school funding
Sarah Karp, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, July 22

Schools across the Quad-Cities train together for future crises
Cesar Toscano, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, July 16

Consultant: 90-page report, 100-plus recommendations for improving special education in Unit 4
Jeff D'Alessio, Champaign News-Gazette, July 8

Congress Passes a National School Voucher Program
Sarah Mervosh and Dana Goldstein, New York Times, July 7

Study: Education still pays, but barriers to upward mobility persist in Illinois
Peter Hancock, CNI/Daily Herald, July 20
 

Teacher contracts are in the news for two central Illinois districts. Federal education dollars stay in the headlines with the U.S. Department of Education planning to release some withheld funding. Also in the news, a western Illinois district plans policy updates.

'Increasingly tense, but hopeful': Talks between school district, teachers union continue
Steven Spearie, State Journal- Register, Springfield, July 22

New contract for Rochester teachers includes a pay raise, additional sick leave
Steven Spearie, State Journal- Register, Springfield, July 18

Gov. JB Pritzker part of letter campaign demanding release of federal education funding, with billions still in limbo
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, July 21

Education Department will release some frozen grants supporting after-school and summer programs
Annie Ma, Associated Press/Chicago Tribune, July 18

QPS policy updates heading to School Board
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy July 16

In today’s Leading News, THSD 214 in Arlington Heights puts real estate up for sale, schools in the Quad Cities area train in crisis management, and the Peoria SD 150 turns down a new metal detector system. In other news, CHSD 218 in Oak Lawn construction projects continue. 

District 214 puts prime Arlington Heights Road real estate up for sale, again 
Christopher Placek, The Daily Herald, July 15, 2025 

Schools across the Quad-Cities train together for future crises 
Cesar Toscano, The Dispatch-Argus, July 16, 2025 

PPS board turns down subscription for new metal detector system 
Joe Deacon, WCBU, July 16, 2025 

District 218 discusses construction, financing for projects at Eisenhower, Shepard 
Olivia Stevens, Daily Southtown, July 16, 2025 

In today’s Leading News, learn about Naperville CUSD 203’s freshman center, Danville CCSD 118’s balanced calendar, and how threats to local school officials since COVID have changed. In other news, Illinois and other states sue over frozen education funding. 

How Naperville freshman center will become a ‘hub’ for District 204 programs 
Katlyn Smith, The Daily Herald, July 15, 2025 

Students, staff at Danville's balanced-calendar school ready for new year 
Jennifer Bailey, The News-Gazette, July 15, 2025 

Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds 
Frank Langfitt, NPR, July 10

Illinois among 24 states suing Trump administration over frozen education funding
Violet Miller, Chicago Sun Times, July 14, 2025 

In today’s Leading News, portable classrooms are being added in Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3, construction continues in Mundelein HSD 120, and registration starts in Quincy SD 172. In other news, the former commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics speaks about her last day on the job. 

In Mahomet: portable classroom added to address overcrowding 
Dave Hinton, The News-Gazette, July 11, 2025 

Nearly $200 million Mundelein High School improvement plan underway 
Mick Zawislak, The Daily Herald, July 14, 2025

QPS online registration underway 
Staff Report, Quincy Herald-Whig, July 14, 2025 

Suddenly sacked 
Jill Barshay, The Hechinger Report/Belleville News-Democrat, July 14, 2025

In today’s Leading News, more coverage of federal-level news impacting public education. Also in the news, a new policy for Peoria students and Macon County teachers get a lesson in agriculture. 

Head Start will be cut off for immigrants without legal status, Trump administration says 
Annie Ma, AP/Chicago Tribune, July 11 

Illinois Head Start leader tells providers to hold off on Trump edict 
Lauren FitzPatrick, Chicago Sun-Times, July 11  

States sue over ‘plainly against the law’ Trump $6B education funding pause 
Arthur Jones II, ABC News, July 14, 2025 

New policy requiring clear bags approved for Peoria schools. Here are the details 
Zach Roth, The Journal Star, July 1, 2025 

Macon County teachers get a lesson in agriculture 
Donnette Beckett, Decatur Herald and Review, July 13, 2025 

In today’s Leading News, catching up with facilities plans.

Greenfield school district taking deep look at future plans, projects
Bridgette Fox, Alton Telegraph, July 9

Oak Park and River Forest High School board eyes remake of arts facilities
Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, July 7

Kaneland School District wants community’s help guiding building upgrades
David Petesch, Kane County Chronicle, July 4

QPS looking to remove trees damaged by emerald ash borer
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 26

Staunton school district breaks ground on new high school building
David Blanchette, Alton Telegraph, June 30
 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage from the week of federal issues and their local impacts on students.

Federal food assistance changes threaten benefits for thousands of Illinoisans
Ben Szalinski, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, July 9

How will Trump administration’s $6B school funding freeze impact Belleville?
Madison Lammert, Belleville News-Democrat, July 10

Who Will Bear the Brunt of Trump’s Hold on $6.8 Billion in School Funds?
Mark Lieberman, Education Week, July 7

Another Education Department delay: Release of NAEP science scores
Jill Barshay, Hechinger Report/Belleville News-Democrat, July 7

What Trump’s big tax law could mean for the youngest American
Moriah Balingit, Associated Press, July 9

 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of questions of school discipline across state.

Orion administrators reflect on student discipline over the school year
Lisa Hammer, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, June 20

South Central High School students can receive ‘social suspension’ beginning next school year
WJBD, Salem, June 19

Protests, bans and contention: Groups spar over alleged discrimination at Morton schoo
Christina Avery, Peoria Journal Star, June 13

Student discipline crackdown in Decatur schools working, superintendent says
Valerie Wells Jun 11, 2025

A Black girl endured racist bullying in a mostly white Chicago school. Did CPS do enough?
Nader Issa and Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, June 13
 

In today’s Leading News, making plans.

Bad weather leads District 214 to consider moving future graduations to Hoffman Estates arena
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald, June 30

To avoid potential conflicts, Sunday afternoon graduation eyed for 2026
Will Brumleve, Ford County Chronicle, June 18

Patoka, Odin, and Sandoval school districts all agree to reorganization study
Austin Williams, WJBD, Salem, June 27

South, southwest suburban high school districts prepare to implement new AI programs
Addison Wright, Daily Southtown, June 30

Decatur Public Schools to hold job fair
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, July 4
 

In today’s Leading News, more coverage of federal-level news impacting public education. Also in the news, read about Illinois’ college access and affordability law.

Illinois schools chief denounces Trump administration decision to withhold federal education funds
Samantha Smylie, Chalkbeat Chicago, July 2

Yorkville, Plano schools at risk of losing more than $200K as Trump freezes federal grants
Joey Weslo and John Sahly, Shaw Local/Kendall County Now, July 3

Pritzker warns 330,000 Illinoisans could lose Medicaid under Trump’s budget plan
Peter Hancock, CNI/NPR Illinois, July 3

What SCOTUS ruling on LGBTQ storybooks could mean for Chicago schools
Cianna Greaves, WBEZ, Chicago, June 20

Gov. Pritzker signs bills tackling college access and affordability
Emmanuel Camarillo, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, June 30
 

In today’s Leading News, time passages. 

‘Living piece of history’: Tour near century-old former Sycamore Central School before it closes
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, June 18

How northern Illinois teachers are bringing indigenous stories into their classrooms for the first time
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, June 27

Leyden High School’s 100th birthday grabs national attention
Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, June 24

High … and bye: Savanna bids adieu to West Carroll High School
Cody Cutter, Shaw Local, Sauk Valley, June 30

School tours highlight Adams County’s education heritage
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 20

In today’s Leading News, read details about the Trump Administration’s withholding of funds. 

$240 million in Illinois school funding withheld by Trump administration
John Sahly, Shaw Local Media, July 2

Trump administration withholds over $6 billion for after-school, summer programs and more
Collin Binkley, Bianca Vázquez Toness, Sharon Lurye, and Annie Ma, Associated Press, July 2

Trump Withholds Nearly $7 Billion for Schools, With Little Explanation
The money, which was allocated by Congress, helps pay for after-school programs, support for students learning English and other services.
Sarah Mervosh and Michael C. Bender, New York Times, July 1

See How Much School Funding Trump Is Holding Back From Your State
The nearly $7 billion the administration isn’t sending to states includes funding for English learner services, professional development, and more
Mark Lieberman & Laura Baker, Education Week July 2
 

In today’s Leading News, read about the expected impacts of the U.S. Senate-passed budget and policy bill, and other federal education funding news.

Democrats deride Senate passage of Trump bill, as activists target GOP lawmakers ahead of House vote
Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times, July 1

Senate Narrowly Passes Trump’s Big Tax Breaks and Spending Cuts Bill
AP/Education Week, July 1

Educators react as ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ passes through Senate
Micah Ward, District Administration, July 1

All states can now access ESSER late liquidation funds
Kara Arundel, K-12 Dive, June 27

Schools and States Scramble as Trump Freezes $6.8 Billion in Federal Funds
Mark Lieberman, Education Week, July 1

 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions impacting education.

Supreme Court says Maryland parents can pull their kids from public school lessons using LGBTQ books
Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, June 27

Educators rethink lessons as Supreme Court decision opens door for religious opt-outs
Norah Rami, Chalkbeat, June 27

Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions. Why That Matters for Education
Mark Walsh, Education Week, June 27

Supreme Court Upholds School E-Rate Program
Mark Walsh, Education Week, June 27

Birthright, sanctuary status and more: What the latest SCOTUS rulings mean for Chicago and beyond
Aaryan Kumar, Gina Montagna, Lynnea Domienik, and Meha Ahmad, WBEZ, Chicago