If you are the designated "Local Election Official" for your school district then you will not want to miss one of five IASB District Secretary Workshops for the 2011 School Board Election. These two-hour workshops will be held at five locations and dates, beginning Sep. 17. Read more about the event or register online.

The Illinois School Law Survey is now in its Eleventh Edition (2010). The book provides a convenient resource written in plain English for answering the legal questions of educators and laymen. A CD ROM version provides rapid access to the laws governing Illinois public schools and represents an "all-in-one" legal resource. Read more about the latest edition and how to order online.

A new law moves up the dates for nominating petitions and candidate certifications for next year's school board election, and speeds the day by which a public policy question must be acted upon for this fall's General Election. The governor signed the bill, SB 3012 (Link, D-Vernon Hills), on July 6. In other news, a $1 million cut in agriculture education spending could have a ripple effect statewide.

Illinois has no idea how many children are being home-schooled in the state, and home school families like their freedom. Learn more about home schooling in this issue's cover story: "Rising home schooling: Who really knows"? Also...

Compiled each week during sessions of the General Assembly and as needed during off-session times, Alliance Legislative Reports summarize major legislative activities and bills of interest to school leaders. Read the latest ALR here (8/24/10).