Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate

By Dylan Sharkey

01/21/2022

Illinois teachers currently face mandated COVID-19 testing if unvaccinated. The Illinois State Board of Education might remove that option depending on whether it follows Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate or a high court decision.

TAGS: ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, public schools, vaccine mandate

Illinois teachers sue Pritzker over COVID-19 school mandates

By Patrick Andriesen

12/14/2021

A class-action lawsuit filed by 88 Illinois teachers seeks to block Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mandates on shots, tests and vaccinations for school personnel.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, teachers union

Nearly 1 in 3 Illinois students didn’t take assessment tests

By Dylan Sharkey

12/03/2021

Lots of Illinois students missed lots of school during 2021, meaning state test scores suffered. Chronic truancy led to drops across demographics.

Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents

By Patrick Andriesen

11/22/2021

A group of school district superintendents called on the Illinois State Board of Education to oppose statewide mask and other mandates, letting local schools decide how best to handle COVID-19 mitigation.

TAGS: COVID-19, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, JB Pritzker, masks

Illinois elections board gives state leader’s campaign a pass for $225K spent on cars

By Dylan Sharkey

11/16/2021

A former state lawmaker’s campaign committee was not aware it couldn’t spend $225,109 on personal vehicles, according to Illinois State Board of Elections members. That lawmaker now oversees public spending for the state.

TAGS: campaign finance, Frank Mautino, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education

Jeremiah made it, but 2 Illinois education reforms could help others

11/10/2021

Illinois has too much school district administration. It has too much education pension debt. There are ways to solve those problems to help students facing challenges and taxpayers facing ever-increasing demands.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education bureaucracy, education spending, K-12, pensions

1-in-5 Illinois students chronically truant thanks to COVID-19 mandates

By Patrick Andriesen

11/03/2021

Illinois students were missing – in masses – during the COVID-19 restrictions on in-person learning. As a result, nearly 20% fewer students met math and English proficiency standards.

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

2 ways to fix Illinois’ too-high property taxes, teacher shortage

10/21/2021

Redirecting some of Illinois’ school district administrative overhead could attract top talent to the more than 4,100 teacher openings. The savings could be $1,317 per taxpayer in one veteran teacher’s hometown. Reform pensions, and that amount grows.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, taxes, teacher shortage

Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition

By Patrick Andriesen

10/07/2021

Private schools will be granted a 60-day probation to address COVID-19 compliance issues in line with public school standards under ISBE’s updated policy. Nonrecognized schools were put on probation status Oct. 1.

TAGS: COVID-19, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, masks, private schools

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

Illinois State Board of Education

Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate

Illinois teachers sue Pritzker over COVID-19 school mandates

Nearly 1 in 3 Illinois students didn’t take assessment tests

Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents

Illinois elections board gives state leader’s campaign a pass for $225K spent on cars

Jeremiah made it, but 2 Illinois education reforms could help others

1-in-5 Illinois students chronically truant thanks to COVID-19 mandates

2 ways to fix Illinois’ too-high property taxes, teacher shortage

Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition

Illinois lawmakers ask if school mask mandate discipline went too far

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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