Illinois lawmakers sandwich in less crucial bills

By Lilly Rossi

07/28/2026

Not all of the nearly 3,100 bills introduced this year in Springfield aim at top voter concerns.

Illinois students can benefit from state move to improve math proficiency

By Hannah Schmid

07/24/2026

The state board of education approved a comprehensive plan to guide school districts on evidence-based math instruction.

Illinois’ per-pupil spending 7th-highest in U.S., but outcomes shaky

By Jessica Rehberg

07/13/2026

Spending was $25,000 per student in 2022-23, almost $5,000 above the national average.

How a school district cut chronic absenteeism by 65%

By Rich Witzel

06/30/2026

Nearly 1-in-4 students were chronically absent in 2023 at New Trier High School. That dropped by 65% after reforms were implemented.

Illinois public school enrollment drop 4th-worst in U.S. 

By Rich Witzel

06/16/2026

The state saw a drop of over 10% in the period from 2014 to 2024, five times the national rate.

Illinois budget proposes $200,000 to redefine ‘low income’

By Josh Bandoch

05/28/2026

The proposed state budget would pay to develop a new definition in the face of federal changes to the SNAP program.

TAGS: SNAP

More schools double-dipping taxpayers for teacher pension costs

By LyLena Estabine

05/26/2026

Many school districts cover teachers’ required pension contribution of 9% of their salary — putting that burden on taxpayers.

Pritzker board eliminates poor attendance from Illinois school ratings

By Hannah Schmid

05/19/2026

High chronic absenteeism will no longer hurt a school’s state rating.

Five reasons school districts shouldn’t lock students out of extracurriculars

By Mailee Smith

05/05/2026

More than 160 districts in Illinois bar participation by those who aren’t full-time students in their schools.

5 things to know about Illinois’ new school rating system

By Hannah Schmid

04/30/2026

Labels on the familiar state report card are poised to change.

Illinois State Board of Education

Illinois lawmakers sandwich in less crucial bills

Illinois students can benefit from state move to improve math proficiency

Illinois’ per-pupil spending 7th-highest in U.S., but outcomes shaky

How a school district cut chronic absenteeism by 65%

Illinois public school enrollment drop 4th-worst in U.S.

Illinois budget proposes $200,000 to redefine ‘low income’

More schools double-dipping taxpayers for teacher pension costs

Pritzker board eliminates poor attendance from Illinois school ratings

Five reasons school districts shouldn’t lock students out of extracurriculars

5 things to know about Illinois’ new school rating system

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students