Illinois lawmakers ask if school mask mandate discipline went too far

By Robert Brutvan

09/16/2021

The Illinois State Board of Education might have overstepped its authority by yanking recognition of schools that defied a statewide mask mandate. State lawmakers have asked the board to clarify those rules.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, masks, public schools

Masks back on for all schools, most Illinoisans, public health leaders recommend

By Noah Shaar

08/02/2021

Illinois public health administrators joined the CDC’s calls for masks in all elementary and high schools, although school districts have the final say. They recommend most Illinoisans, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, should be masking in indoor public spaces.

TAGS: IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, masks, public schools

Masks can be optional in Illinois school districts

By Patrick Andriesen

07/13/2021

Illinois schools can resume in-person learning without masks next month now that the state has clarified its guidance to acknowledge local school boards should decide which COVID-19 policies best fit their students.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, masks, public schools

New study gives Illinois an ‘F’ for civics and history education standards

By Noah Shaar

07/01/2021

A recent study by the Fordham Institute critiqued Illinois’ education standards for U.S. history and civics education. Illinois’ standards lacked mention of historical concepts and did not offer goals for what each grade should learn in civics and U.S. History.

TAGS: education, Illinois, public schools

Masks to stay on in Illinois schools despite June 11 reopening

By Patrick Andriesen

06/10/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants masks on and social distancing intact when children return to school next year. Most COVID-19 restrictions will be dropped June 11, but not all.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, masks, public schools

Illinois students will return to in-person schooling in fall

By Brad Weisenstein

05/19/2021

In-person learning will resume in the fall, the Illinois State Board of Education has decided. Whether kids will still be required to wear masks and sit behind plastic shields in the fall remains to be decided.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, JB Pritzker, public schools, teachers union

Bill would allow Chicago Public Schools principals to go on strike

By Mailee Smith

05/17/2021

A bill that passed the Illinois House and is now in the Senate would allow Chicago principals to unionize and strike, creating an even more unstable environment for the city’s school children.

TAGS: public schools, strike, teachers union

Pritzker boosts public school funding by $350 million but wants to cut low-income scholarship program

By Patrick Andriesen

05/07/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wanted to renege on the promised $350 million increase in education spending until state lawmakers pushed back. He still wants to cut the scholarship program low-income and minority students use when public education doesn’t fit them.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, JB Pritzker, public schools, school choice, teachers union

School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work

By Orphe Divounguy

05/07/2021

States that have re-opened schools have also increased labor force participation of mothers, evidence suggests.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, Mother's Day, public schools

Illinois lawmakers approve controversial ‘culturally responsive’ teaching rule

By Amy Korte

02/23/2021

Illinois state lawmakers recently approved a rule requiring Illinois teacher training programs to adopt ‘culturally responsive teaching and leading’ standards. Critics say a political litmus test is the wrong focus when students are underachieving on the basics.

TAGS: ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, JCAR: Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, K-12, public schools