In today’s Leading News, revenue from a corporate profit tax is expected to decline, and could impact schools. Referendums are back on the ballots in Mundelein and Sycamore. Also in the news, parents in Edwardsville want to change the date of the graduation ceremony.

Illinois revenue from a tax on corporate profits is projected to decline. Here’s what that means for school districts.
Samantha Smylie, Chalkbeat Chicago, July 9

Sycamore school board referendum to appear on November ballot
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, June 29

Parents want Edwardsville District 7 to change the date of graduation ceremony
Billy Woods, Alton Telegraph, July 4

In today’s Leading News, volunteers gather back-to-school supplies for students and teachers. Mundelein HSD 120 will seek voter approval for facility improvements. Also in the news, what are the necessary qualifications for free breakfast and lunch at school districts?
 
Stuff the Bus volunteers fill backpacks with school supplies; ‘Our goal is for all kids to have an equal chance at success’
Steve Sadi, Lake County News-Sun/Chicago Tribune, July 23

Sunshine Supplies shines a light on local educators
Donnette Beckett, Herald & Review, Decatur, July 22

Referendum reboot: Mundelein High School will again ask voters fund improvements
Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald, Chicago Suburbs, July 15

When school districts qualify, sometimes there is a free lunch for all students
Jill Moon, The Telegraph, Alton, July 16

In today’s Leading News, budget negotiations continue for Chicago Public Schools. Custodians in Decatur SD 61 vote to authorize a strike. A new member of the Quincy School Board looks forward to being part of the board team. Springfield District 186 will consider multiple approaches for student cellphone policy. Also in the news, East Alton-Wood River High School will be getting a security upgrade at the start of the school year.
  
Push and pull between Chicago Public Schools, teachers union and charter school advocates continues at annual budget hearings
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, July 18

Decatur school custodians authorize strike
Scott Perry, Herald-Review, Decatur, July 19

Davis "looking forward" to School Board opportunity
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, July 17

Suspensions, technology violations leading to cellphone policy vote in schools next month
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, July 16

EA-WR High School enhances safety with Evolv detection system
Jill Moon, The Telegraph, Alton, July 17

In today’s Leading News, Decatur SD 61 bans the use of cell phones. Construction has started on Rantoul City SD 137’s new pre-K addition. Progress is being made on Belleville THSD 201’s new Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence. In other news, the Quincy SD 172 Foundation welcomes new members.  

Decatur schools ban the use of cell phones 
Tony Reid, Decatur Herald and Review, July 17 

New digs going up for Rantoul City Schools pre-K students 
Dave Hinton, Champaign News-Gazette, July 16

When will Belleville’s 201 CAVE addition be finished and new programs begin? 
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, July 19 

QPS Foundation welcomes 3 new board members 
Herald-Whig, Quincy, July 19 

In today’s Leading News, the city of Bloomington will help Bloomington SD 87 with the financial effects of a TIF district. Learn how Edwardsville CUSD 7 high school podcasts grew into a full network. See how the summer literacy program in Champaign help challenge students to learn about banned books. In other news, O’Fallon THSD 203’s beloved “Dr. G” will be honored by a pop legend next week.  

Bloomington to help District 87 withstand financial effect of TIF 
Charlie Schlenker, WGLT, Normal, July 15 

How Edwardsville High School podcasts grew from one microphone to full network 
Billy Woods, Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 2 

'A huge influence on these kids:' Students to present on banned-books read in summer literacy program 
Samuel Lisec, Champaign News-Gazette, July 16 

Here’s why O’Fallon’s beloved ‘Dr. G’ will be honored by a pop music legend next week Lynn Venhaus, Belleville News-Democrat, July 18

In today’s Leading News, schools are taking stronger measures to limit cell phone use in class. Belleville THSD 201 students can get free physicals for the upcoming school year. Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD 307 approves referendum to ask voters for $62 million for expansion and renovation. In other news, Quincy SD 172 receives a state grant to help recruit and retain staff. 

Schools are taking stricter measures to limit cell phone use in class. Will they work? 
Anna Savchenko, WBEZ Chicago, July 15 
 
Students in three Belleville school districts can get free physicals. Here’s how & why 
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, July 17  

BBCHS referendum to appear on November 2024 ballot 
Stephanie Markham, Daily Journal (Kankakee), July 17 

State grant helps QPS recruit, retain staff 
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, July 2 

In today’s Leading News, it’s not too soon to think about back-to-school: dates, supplies, and curriculum. Also in the news, from north to south, summer severe weather disrupts travel and more.

When is the first day of school for Peoria and other central Illinois districts?
Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star, July 16

School supplies boxes save money for Decatur Public Schools parents
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, July 5

Training sessions give QPS K-5 teachers peek at new curriculum
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, June 29

At least five tornadoes confirmed, thousands still without power
Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, July 1

Quick work by staff averts ‘catastrophe’ at KHS
Michael Berry, Kewanee Voice, July 17

Flash flooding, 'imminent' dam failure forces evacuations and road closures
Libby Gerdes, The Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, July 16
 

In today’s Leading News, updates from media coverage of Chicago Public Schools: CPS board of education candidates participate in a virtual forum and assess endorsements. Meanwhile, CPS wrangles over its budget. Also in the news, a look at education dollars in the state budget.

School board candidates present platforms during forum: ‘This is a really big deal’
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, July 11

CTU endorses slate of candidates for Chicago’s first elected school board
Sarah Karp and Lauren FitzPatrick, Chicago Sun-Times, June 27

Chicago’s Mayor Johnson suggests CPS borrow to cover pension, contract costs
Reema Amin, Chalkbeat Chicago, July 12, 2024

At odds with CPS over staffing cuts, Mayor Johnson signals ‘increased costs’ above $9.9B proposed budget
Sarah Macaraeg, Chicago Tribune, July 12

New Illinois budget invests heavily in education. Why do some say it's not enough?
Hope Gadson, Springfield State Journal- Register, July 10
 

In today’s Leading News, Morton CUSD 709 and its teachers have reached a tentative contract agreement. Venice CUSD 3 and Madison CUSD 12 undertake consolidation discussions. A settlement is reached in a Geneva lawsuit centered on bullying response. WBEZ and the Sun-Times look at CPS and its selective school admissions. Also in the news, the Stewardson-Strasburg CUSD 5A community responds to a tragic accident.

Morton teachers announce tentative deal with district after hours of federal mediation
Andy Kravetz, WMBD, Peoria, July 10

Two metro-east school districts consider proposal to merge. What happens next?
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, July 14

Family accepts settlement from Geneva District 304 in federal bullying lawsuit
Brenda Schory, Kane County Chronicle, July 12

Chicago’s most marginalized students have almost no shot of getting into CPS’ elite schools
Sarah Karp, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, July 9

Community extends support to families after fatal Shelby Co. crash
Bradley Zimmerman, WCIA, Champaign, July 12
 

In today’s Leading News, get the latest on more facilities projects in school districts around the state. Also in the news, read or listen to a look at student representation on boards of education from Northern Public Radio

St. Charles District 303 has $23 million in summer construction projects underway
David Petesch, Daily Herald, July 6

What’s included in $1.5M upgrades to athletic facilities at Belleville’s high schools?
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, June 21

Unit 40 Board Considers Classroom Construction Options
Greg Sapp, WXEF, Effingham, June 24

RBHS board approves construction bids, moves forward with culinary lab
Katherine Frazer, Riverside Brookfield Landmark, July 3

Northern Illinois students bring their voice to school boards
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, July 9
 

In today’s Leading News, the News-Gazette looks at substitute teacher pay. Read coverage of the delayed CPS budget. Salem CHSD 600 considers absences and extracurricular participation. Also in the news, statements are issued in following the Glenbrook High School District 225 yearbook controversy.

Substitute teacher pay for 47 area districts
Champaign News-Gazette, July 5

Mayor Johnson caught in the middle of CPS-City Hall pension disagreement
Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times, July 8

Cracks revealed between Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers Union at board meeting
Sarah Macaraeg, Chicago Tribune, June 28

Salem Community High School Board to bar students with high number of unexcused absences from school activities
WJBD, Salem, June 25

Former Glenbrook South yearbook adviser apologizes for allowing anti-Israel quote
Russell Lissau, Daily Herald, Chicago suburbs, July 9
 

In today’s Leading News, more school districts dial in on cell phone policies. Also in the news, contract discussions are complete in Macomb CUSD 185 and going to mediation in Morton CUSD 709 and Crystal Lake CCSD 47.  

New, stricter phone policy likely coming to Springfield schools. Here's what it might look like
Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal- Register, July 8

QHS maintains phones off, out of sight policy during class time
Deborah Gertz Husar, Herald-Whig, Quincy, July 5

Macomb teachers, school board ratify new contract
Rich Egger, Tri States Public Radio, Macomb, July 2

Morton teachers union, district will meet with a federal mediator as contract talks hit a roadblock
Steve Stein, WCBU, Peoria, July 8

Federal mediator brought in for contract talks between Crystal Lake District 47, teachers union
Michelle Meyer, Shaw Local News Network/Daily Herald, June 25
 

In today’s Leading News, Illinois will move back to the ACT for high school student assessment. Challenges have been made to the petitions of over half of the candidates for the CPS school board. In a few national stories, the Oklahoma superintendent of schools has directed school districts to incorporate the Bible in curriculum, and lessons in AI are on the horizon. Also in the news, read coverage of Edwardsville CUSD 7’s proposal on banning cell phones in the classroom.

SAT will no longer be the standard for student assessment in Illinois schools
Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois, Belleville News-Democrat, July 6

More than half of Chicago school board candidates face ballot challenges
Nader Issa, Lauren FitzPatrick, and Sarah Karp, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, July 2

Ryan Walters announces Bible directive for Oklahoma public schools
Melissa Jacques and Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Tulsa World/Decatur Herald & Review, June 28

As AI gains a workplace foothold, states are trying to make sure workers don’t get left behind
Chicago Tribune/AP, June 29

Edwardsville District 7 wants Illinois to ban cell phones in schools
Billy Woods, The Edwardsville Intelligencer/Alton Telegraph, July 3
 

In today’s Leading News, read another round of media coverage on facilities projects. Also in the news, the Sun-Times and WBEZ look at for-profit colleges, low income students, and student debt.

Edwardsville District 7 estimates spending $108M on multiple school projects
Billy Woods, Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 2

Construction continues at new Sullivan High School; district gives update
Bradley Zimmerman, WCIA, Champaign, June 27

J-MG updated on building renovations
Terra temple, Metropolis Planet, June 27

Danville High's new video scoreboard: 'Possibilities are endless'
Jennifer Bailey, Champaign News-Gazette, June 18

At Illinois’ for-profit colleges, students often end up worse off than when they started
Lisa Kurian Philip, Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Amy Qin, Chicago Tribune, June 29

 

In today’s Leading News, making plans: strategic, board membership, back-to-school, and pickleball.

Dist. 34 School Board Adopts New 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
Tom Robb, Journal and Topics, Chicago suburbs, June 19

Batavia School Board adopts 5-year strategic plan, diversity goals addressed
Joey Weslo, Kane County Chronicle, June 27

Learn about the rigorous steps Bethalto takes to appoint new school board members
Jill Moon, Alton Telegraph, June 18

Local organizations to host Back to School Expo
Jessica Wettig, The Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, June 21

Pickleball gets an unofficial start in Illinois high school sports
Stan Goff, Daily Herald, June 28

 

In today’s Leading News, the latest in facilities: past, present, future, and potential. Also in the news, stress in the classroom.

Flames Consume Wilmington's School Bus Barn
John Ferak, Joliet Patch, June 25

MacArthur HIgh School track complex to be named for longtime coach Bill Harbeck
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, June 11

Final design for a new Cahokia High School is approved. Here’s a first look
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, June 28

Poll shows slim support for District 64’s proposed $98 million facilities plan
Russell Lissau, Daily Herald, June 28

Teachers’ job stress has improved to pre-pandemic levels. They’re still pretty stressed out.
Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, June 18