Illinois bill would give ISBE authority to revoke schools’ state recognition

By Patrick Andriesen

09/02/2021

Gov. J.B Pritzker has warned district administrators since early August that ISBE would strip state recognition from Illinois schools defying his statewide mask mandate. House Bill 4135 aims to give the state board of education that power.

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

Pritzker mask mandate leads to threats against 58 schools, districts

By Patrick Andriesen

08/27/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Aug. 4 mask mandate drew criticism from the communities he just weeks earlier promised would keep local control over student COVID-19 safety. School districts that fail to kowtow face severe state sanctions.

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

Chicago Teachers Union claims ‘impasse’ over COVID-19 school reopenings

By Patrick Andriesen

08/19/2021

The CTU president said there was an impasse, with union leaders and Chicago Public Schools administrators divided on quarantine policies and remote learning options for students. School administrators said the union is ‘rejecting the science for their own gain.’

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Pritzker administration forces Christian school to follow mask mandate

By Noah Shaar

08/16/2021

Timothy Christian Schools tried to keep their mask-optional policy despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide school mask mandate. The state quickly stripped the schools of their recognition, crippling their high school seniors as they started college applications. Masks are now on.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, private schools

Pritzker’s economic record: Weak labor market, widening racial gaps

By Orphe Divounguy

08/11/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his reelection campaign will focus on his record of protecting people and their jobs. A close look at that record shows Illinois with worse employment prospects and greater racial disparities than the rest of the U.S.

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

7 things to know about new COVID-19 school guidance from CDC, Illinois

By Amy Korte

07/09/2021

New federal and state health guidance adjusts policies on masks, distancing and quarantines in Illinois’ K-12 schools. Many students will again be masked in the coming year.

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

CDC report: 1 in 10 Illinois students learned in-person for 8 months of pandemic

By Patrick Andriesen

07/01/2021

Illinois ranked 9th worst in the nation for offering students access to full-time in-person learning between September 2020 and April 2021 – less than any other Midwest state.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, teachers union

Illinois school superintendents demand immediate COVID-19 guidance

By Mailee Smith

06/25/2021

Illinois schools will be treated more restrictively than any other public venues, threatening students’ educations across the state. Superintendents are demanding up-to-date, commonsense COVID-19 guidance to prep for the upcoming school year.

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

Illinois State Board of Education

Illinois bill would give ISBE authority to revoke schools’ state recognition

Pritzker mask mandate leads to threats against 58 schools, districts

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

Chicago Teachers Union claims ‘impasse’ over COVID-19 school reopenings

Pritzker administration forces Christian school to follow mask mandate

Pritzker’s economic record: Weak labor market, widening racial gaps

Masks can be optional in Illinois school districts

7 things to know about new COVID-19 school guidance from CDC, Illinois

CDC report: 1 in 10 Illinois students learned in-person for 8 months of pandemic

Illinois school superintendents demand immediate COVID-19 guidance

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