Chicago Public Schools spends a lot on empty desks
Chicago Public Schools spends a lot on empty desks
The emptiest Chicago Public Schools building held just 3% of its capacity and cost nearly $55,000 per student.
Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime
Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime
Using taxpayer dollars intended to educate children, over 600 Chicago Public Schools staffers exploited lax rules to take luxury trips to Las Vegas.
Chicago Public School staff jet-sets overseas on tax dollars
Chicago Public School staff jet-sets overseas on tax dollars
Lax rules, poor oversight let millions of taxpayer dollars be used for foreign travel – including safaris and camel rides – for Chicago Public Schools staff.
Here are costs, test scores for Illinois school districts
Here are costs, test scores for Illinois school districts
Most property taxes go to local public schools. Illinoisans should know how well students read and perform math at school districts compared to the cost.
IFT vows to fight funding to help public school kids
IFT vows to fight funding to help public school kids
The Illinois Federation of Teachers told members it will “stay vigilant” to keep privately-donated money out of students’ pockets. Illinois kids need the help.
How well are your local third graders reading?
How well are your local third graders reading?
Illinois lowered its standards in 2025, but over half of third graders still couldn’t read at grade level. It’s a critical milestone. See how your students did.
Vallas: Chicago needs education reform to curb youth violence epidemic
Vallas: Chicago needs education reform to curb youth violence epidemic
Fixing Chicago’s schools is the surest way to stop youth violence. Softening education standards will perpetuate the harm.
Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician
Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician
Chicago Public Schools couldn’t give a teen the right education, but scholarships did. Now state leaders can OK a federal program to help every Illinois student.
Illinois students could boost ACT scores with scholarships
Illinois students could boost ACT scores with scholarships
Federal scholarships could give low-income students access to ACT tutors and study materials to help them improve on the college exam.
1-in-4 Illinois students absent in 2025
1-in-4 Illinois students absent in 2025
One-in-four Illinois public school students were chronically absent in the 2024-2025 school year. It is contributing to Illinois’ low academic proficiency.
Taxpayers pay $23.6M for Chicago Public Schools vacations
Taxpayers pay $23.6M for Chicago Public Schools vacations
Chicago Public Schools employees spent $23.6 million in tax dollars on lavish vacations at 5-star hotels and overseas trips. Much of it was without approval.
Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students
Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students
Chicago Public Schools’ low-income and minority students recorded lower proficiency rates than the state average. They are also missing more school.
Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent
Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent
Last year, 43% of Chicago Public Schools teachers missed 10 or more school days. Statewide, it was 34%.
Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average
Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average
New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.