Public, private, homeschool all used in family’s education quest
Public, private, homeschool all used in family’s education quest
A search for the right education took a South Holland family through public school, private school and homeschool. Federal scholarships can ease the journey for others, if Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows
Chicago Teachers Union pays for audit, doesn’t let members see it
Chicago Teachers Union pays for audit, doesn’t let members see it
The Chicago Teachers Union is over five years behind in releasing its 'annual' audits, yet its own reporting shows it’s been paying accountants for those audits.
By Mailee Smith
Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help
Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help
If Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets Illinois join the federal scholarship tax credit program, public school students could receive grants for tutoring, books and other academic services.
By Hannah Schmid
See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024
See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024
Illinois school district superintendent pay topped out at $537,197 in 2024. See your local superintendent's salary here.
By Lilly Rossi
Illinois superintendent pay doesn’t match performance: district consolidation could help
Illinois superintendent pay doesn’t match performance: district consolidation could help
Superintendent salaries often do not reflect the district’s size, wealth or student performance. School district consolidation could help fix that.
By Lilly Rossi
Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students
Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students
There are 9,081 fewer students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools, driven by declines in Black and Hispanic students. The big drop ends a blip in annual enrollment declines.
By Hannah Schmid
Vallas: Stacy Davis Gates’ destructive vision for Chicago schools
Vallas: Stacy Davis Gates’ destructive vision for Chicago schools
The Chicago Teachers Union is shutting down school choice by attacking charter schools, hurting Black and Latino families who rely on them. Their actions put power over student success.
By Paul Vallas
4 myths about federal scholarship tax credit program
4 myths about federal scholarship tax credit program
Illinois students could be denied donor-funded scholarships for tutoring and other academic services because opponents are spreading misinformation about how the program works. Here are the facts about four of their fictions.
By Hannah Schmid
Federal scholarship could help rural Illinois students find education options
Federal scholarship could help rural Illinois students find education options
A new federal scholarship tax credit program could be a lifeline to students in rural Illinois. They may have limited educational options, but the federal money could boost those options through tutoring or other services if Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows it.
By Hannah Schmid
Studies not enough to cut administrative bloat in Illinois schools
Studies not enough to cut administrative bloat in Illinois schools
The Illinois State Board of Education is giving school districts an incentive to study consolidation, but a flawed process still stands in the way. The state has too many school districts, driving up administrative costs and property taxes.
By Lilly Rossi
See how well your local 3rd graders can read
See how well your local 3rd graders can read
Third grade is a critical year for young readers, predicting the success of their future education. See how well your local schools are doing at producing proficient readers by the end of third grade.
By Hannah Schmid
Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs
Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs
Use our calculator to see if your family is eligible to receive a school choice grant from the Educational Choice for Children Act. Then, sign the petition to tell Gov. J.B. Pritzker to let Illinois join the federal program.
By Tom Viz, Jon Josko
Chicago’s empty schools hurting students at high costs
Chicago’s empty schools hurting students at high costs
Students at the emptiest schools in Chicago Public Schools recorded low proficiency and high absenteeism on average. Students at the most overcrowded schools fared better, even with lower spending per student.
By Hannah Schmid
Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years
Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years
The cost of a state university education in Illinois increased 66% between 2009 and 2025, $6,028 more in tuition and fees per year. Blame declining enrollment, a bad state funding formula, pensions and high administrative costs.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr