Lawmakers push for more transparency on Illinois State Board of Education spending

By Hannah Schmid

03/18/2025

House Bill 2574 aims to empower parents and taxpayers with more access to information about the Illinois State Board of Education’s spending.

‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents

By Mailee Smith

03/14/2025

House Bill 2827 would require the collection of personal information – including religious affiliation – of private school and homeschool families all over the state. That violates families’ constitutional rights.

TAGS: education, homeschool, private schools

Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2025

House Bill 2827 would require all Illinois private schools to report personal information about students to local and state authorities – a prime example of Illinois government overreach and an infringement of parents’ constitutional rights.

Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

By Matheus Cosso

03/05/2025

The “millionaire tax” will increase Illinois’ tax burden without necessarily increasing public funds. Revenue intended for education may fall short of expectations and will likely be absorbed by school administration before reaching students.

TAGS: millionaire tax

Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children

By Hannah Schmid

02/18/2025

Democratic state lawmakers are making another attack on parents’ rights and educational choice in Illinois. A bill would require homeschooling parents to file annual reports to avoid truancy charges, be credentialed and have their curriculum reviewed.

Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level.

By Hannah Schmid

02/13/2025

Not a single 11th-grade student was proficient in reading or math in 2023-2024 at Douglass Academy High School. The near-empty school has the highest per-student spending in Chicago Public Schools.

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

Illinois students show continued struggles in reading, math on national exam

By Hannah Schmid

01/30/2025

The nation’s report card was just released and shows Illinois students continue to struggle to meet proficiency standards in reading and math. State leaders are spinning 8th-grade results as a win, but in reality, they lag. Ignored are the struggles of younger students.

TAGS: public schools

Illinois school boards should provide opportunities to all kids in their districts

By Mailee Smith

01/27/2025

Some Illinois school boards allow all resident children – including private and homeschooled kids – to participate in district activities. That should be the case for all taxpaying families in all districts.

TAGS: public schools

5 ways Illinois can learn from Colorado’s ‘blue state’ literacy reforms

By Hannah Schmid

12/25/2024

Colorado lawmakers passed an act in 2012 to focus on early literacy development and the science of reading. Its fourth graders are now in the Top 5 states for reading proficiency. Illinois can benefit from adopting five of their tactics.

TAGS: literacy, public schools

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s eventual pension payout could exceed $5M

By Bryce Hill

12/03/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pensions are worth an estimated $3.8 million after only four years as a teacher and one term as mayor. It could go even higher, depending on his next job moves.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, pensions

Illinois State Board of Education

Lawmakers push for more transparency on Illinois State Board of Education spending

‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents

Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights

Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children

Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level.

Illinois students show continued struggles in reading, math on national exam

Illinois school boards should provide opportunities to all kids in their districts

5 ways Illinois can learn from Colorado’s ‘blue state’ literacy reforms

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s eventual pension payout could exceed $5M

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students