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 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

Illinois State Board of Education

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

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

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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