In today’s Leading News, the CPS has named interim Macquline King as the district’s new CEO. First Student teamsters have authorized a strike. Reg Weaver, president of the IEA during the effort to ensure collective bargaining rights for Illinois educators, has died. Also in the news, a private school that uses AI in place of teachers is expected to open in Chicago in the fall
Chicago school board hires interim CEO Macquline King as permanent CPS leader
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, March 30
First Student school bus drivers vote to strike, could affect these northern Illinois schools
Megann Horstead, Shaw Local/DeKalb Daily Chronicle, March 26
Teamsters who drive for First Student Inc vote to authorize a strike
Cheri Ballinger, WTAX, Springfield, March 25
Former Illinois Education Association [President] Reg Weaver dies at 86
Janis Reeser, Springfield State Journal-Register, March 28
An AI School, With No Teachers, To Open in Chicago This Fall
Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago, March 25
In today’s Leading News, leadership changes are underway in CPS and other districts. Also in the news, a New Mexico court ruling strikes at social media’s influence on children.
CPS Board selects Macquline King as permanent CEO, will vote on her contract Monday
Sarah Karp and Emmanuel Camarillo, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, March 26
Roadmap 2030 committee faces hard choices in coming weeks
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, March 19
Unit 4 board OKs search firm for new cabinet posts; three of 11 leadership team members to resign
Jeff D'Alessio, Champaign News-Gazette, March 23
School Board sets April special meeting to name new superintendent
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, March 25
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children’s mental health and safety, violating state law
Morgan Lee, AP/Chicago Tribune, March 24
In today’s Leading News, schools around the state work through budget strains.
Dozens of school positions cut as CUSD #168 faces growing budget crisis
KBSI, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, March 18
RPS 205 to cut 110 positions due to $15M budget deficit, district says
Laura Neuzil, Rockford Register Star, March 12
Naperville D203 board nixes plan to cut 38 teachers after outcry from students, parents
Michelle Mullins, Naperville Sun/Chicago Tribune, March 17
Mercer County Schools Cut 26 Jobs Over $1.7M Deficit, 2026–27 Budget Gap
Country Herald, Central Illinois, March 5
Oswego District 308 looks at staffing cuts because of $8 million loss in state funding
Eric Schelkopf, Shaw Local/Kendall County, March 24
In today’s Leading News, read coverage of the General Assembly’s consideration of several education-related bills. Also in the news, schools coordinate assistance for people impacted by the March 10 storm system that included tornadoes and damaging hail.
Illinois school staff rally for unemployment pay during summer
Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register, March 26
Lawmakers advance Pritzker’s cell phone ban, social media regulations
Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore, CNI/Decatur Herald and Review, March 25
Proposed bill would require Illinois high schools to offer voter registration
Amy Wong, Medill Illinois News Bureau/Belleville News-Democrat, March 21
Student helps submit IL legislation that would require male, female CPR training in high schools
ABC 7, Chicago, March 18
Southland school districts join groups to help Kankakee tornado recovery
Olivia Stevens, Daily Southtown, March 22
In today’s Leading News, catch up on some big-picture, statewide news.
Pritzker calls for setting new higher education attainment goals
Peter Hancock, CNI/Champaign News-Gazette, March 18
3 finalists named to lead the Chicago schools: current interim CEO, former NYC, Louisiana schools chiefs
Sarah Karp and Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, March 13
Enrollment at Illinois public K-12 schools is down 10% over the past decade. Will some schools have to close?
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, March 12
Young kids missed the pandemic’s school disruptions. Their reading scores are still behind.
Moriah Balingit, Associated Press/Chicago Tribune, March 10
Acting on a suit filed by Illinois medical group, judge blocks rollback of federal vaccine recommendations
Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, March 16
English learner programs in Illinois schools face uncertainty amid federal funding cuts
Jessie Molloy, Shaw Local News/Daily Herald, March 21
Navigating conversations with children about war, conflict and other traumatic events
Cheyanne Mumphrey, Associated Press, March 4
Southern Illinois coalition works to combat teacher shortages
Mackenzie-Lionberger, WPSD, March 3
Supreme Court blocks law against schools outing transgender students to their parents in California
Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press, March 2
Should Illinois opt in to school voucher plan in Big, Beautiful Bill? Some voters will see question on ballot
Claire O'Brien, Shaw Local Media, Northern Illinois, March 4
In 2013, CPS tried to ban a book. It didn’t go well. A new graphic novel tells the tale.
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, March 4
Jesse Jackson’s lyrical swagger and political ‘juice’ resonate as students learn about his legacy
Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, March 2
As States Eye Math Reform, How Prescriptive Should They Be?
Sarah Schwartz, Education Week, February 27
State forum on math education will be March 18 at NCHS
Mateusz Janik, Bloomington Pantagraph, February 20
Proposed Illinois numeracy plan gives “big picture overview” for schools
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, February 27
CPS approves calendars for next 2 school years with longer summer break
Emmanuel Camarillo, Chicago Sun-Times, February 26
Fair or foul: School district considers earlier start to academic year
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, March 2
Winnebago School District captures dangerous drivers with bus cameras
Nathaniel Langley, WIFR, Rockford, February 27
Fatal Rushville bus crash prompts new transit handbook in Macomb
Rich Egger, Jane Carlson, Tri States Public Radio, February 27
Dunlap school district addresses 'troubling' trend among students
Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star, March 1
Caught in the middle: More than 500 students to be displaced by CPS shutdown of Aspira schools
Sarah Karp, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, February 26
Partnering with West Aurora School District, Aurora food pantry moves drive-up service to Saturdays
Molly Morrow, Aurora Beacon-News, February 25
Leading News
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