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

Frequently asked questions: Updated rules on COVID-19 and schools

By Mailee Smith

06/07/2021

Breaking down the state's latest rules concerning COVID-19 restrictions in Illinois K-12 schools.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, K-12

Teachers union vows to keep chasing health rules for Illinois private schools

By Patrick Andriesen

06/03/2021

After nearly 17,000 Illinois parents opposed a bill to impose state health mandates on private schools, and state lawmakers let the effort sit, it seemed the fight was over. Not quite. A teachers union lead lobbyist pledged to keep pursuing it.

TAGS: COVID-19, education, health care

Illinois bill to impose more public health controls on private schools dies

By Brad Weisenstein

05/31/2021

Private schools kept most of their students in class during the COVID-19 pandemic, making public schools look bad. Union bosses tried and failed to force through a bill to mandate state controls on private school operations in the case of a new health crisis.

TAGS: Illinois, private schools, teachers union

ISBE official confirms teachers’ union bosses have heavy hand in anti-private school bill

By Hilary Gowins

05/28/2021

Private schools found a way to stay open during the pandemic while the majority of public schools remained closed. Teachers’ union bosses want to rewrite the rules to handicap their competition should another state of emergency arise.

TAGS: emergency, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, private schools, teachers union

Illinois State Board of Education

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

Frequently asked questions: Updated rules on COVID-19 and schools

Teachers union vows to keep chasing health rules for Illinois private schools

Illinois bill to impose more public health controls on private schools dies

ISBE official confirms teachers’ union bosses have heavy hand in anti-private school bill

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit Illinois students?

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