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.

Illinois lawmakers sandwich in less crucial bills

By Lilly Rossi

07/08/2026

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

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 students can benefit from state move to improve math proficiency

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

Illinois lawmakers sandwich in less crucial bills

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