National
Average Illinois gas prices nearly a dollar more than Missouri(The Center Square) – Gas prices continue to climb and likely won’t retreat anytime soon. The average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline in Illinois is about $5.40,… Read More
State Government
New law expands career and technical education in Illinois schools(The Center Square) – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is applauding a new law that allows students to be introduced to technical education at an earlier age. The … Read More
State Government
As some states take measures to relieve gas prices like tax suspensions, Illinois does little, critics say(The Center Square) – As gas prices continue to soar around the country, some states are taking action with sizable tax breaks. But in Illinois, little is being done, critics… Read More
State Government
IRS data: Illinois lost 101K individuals and their $8.5 billion in income(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker insists Illinois has more than 13 million people, but analysis of new Internal Revenue Service data show the state continues to lose taxpayers… Read More
Public Education
Measures impacting education, driving and public safety retirement now law(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed 35 bills Friday, including measures impacting education, driving and public safety retirement. Beginning Jan. 1, certain members of law enforcement can retire… Read More
Public Education
New law borrows $1 billion to extend pension buyout option for Illinois state employees, including educators(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law Thursday a measure that borrows $1 billion to extend the existing pension buyout program for Illinois state employees for… Read More
Public Education
With measures to attract, retain teachers approved, some see other problematic policies(The Center Square) – With the governor enacting measures to attract and retain teachers, critics say other policies are keeping teachers away. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, legislators and education professionals took… Read More
State Government
Goldman Sachs: Two-thirds of Illinois businesses still haven’t recovered from pandemic(The Center Square) – Two years after lockdowns were extended in Illinois for a second month, two-thirds of Illinois businesses say they still are having trouble making ends meet even with… Read More
Public Education
GOP candidates for Illinois governor discuss crime, COVID, education during forum(The Center Square) – Crime, COVID-19 policies, education and more were the focus of the first Illinois gubernatorial debate among Republican candidates. There was also attention paid to an empty… Read More
Public Education
Schools must report alleged teacher sexual misconduct starting July 2023(The Center Square) – In a little over a year, school superintendents must begin notifying school boards and parents if any sexual misconduct happens in their districts. Read More
Culture, Government, Public Education
Parents, local education officials push back against Illinois’ public school policies(The Center Square) – In what could be a top issue in the November election, parents of school children and local education officials are voicing their concerns over how their… Read More
Government
Op-Ed: Illinois proves investing in school choice lifts low-income familiesEarly on July 10, 2015, Jerry Valdivia Sr. was fighting flames to get to his wife and two children in their Chicago home. His wife died trying… Read More
Public Education
Education pension spiking costs continue to hit Illinois taxpayers(The Center Square) – School districts across the state continue to divert money from classrooms to boost the pensions of retiring educators despite multiple attempts to curb the practice. One… Read More
State Government
Privacy concerns raised over proliferation of license plate cameras(The Center Square) – As Illinois police departments lobby city councils on the importance of cameras to combat crime, some are raising concerns about the right to privacy. The American… Read More
State Government
Former state Sen. Thomas Cullerton pleads guilty to embezzlement(The Center Square) – A former Democratic Illinois state senator pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal embezzlement charge and admitted fraudulently receiving salary and benefits from a labor union… Read More
Public Education
Op-Ed: Mask mandate is gone for most Illinois schools, but teachers unions still demand more power over kids, parents(The Center Square) – Illinois’ largest teachers unions in the past two pandemic years have shown their priority is power, not students’ welfare or parents’ rights. In 2020-2021, the Chicago… Read More
State Government
Prosecutors indict former House Speaker Michael Madigan on 22 counts of corruption(The Center Square) – Prosecutors indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on 22 counts of corruption Tuesday. U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. announced the charges Tuesday afternoon, connecting… Read More
Public Education
Some question if “political science” was part of relaxing COVID-19 mandates in Illinois(The Center Square) — While some say the science of COVID-19 has led to Illinois lifting its mask mandate in most places, including schools and daycare settings, others say the… Read More
State Government
Bribery case involving ComEd officials moves ahead with shadow over Madigan(The Center Square) – Former House Speaker Michael Madigan spent more than $2.7 million for legal work in 2021, most of it after he left office, after being implicated but… Read More
Public Education
School association doesn’t expect ISBE to enforce mask mandate ‘at this point’(The Center Square) – An association representing large school districts across Illinois expects the issue of mask mandates to eventually dissipate, despite the attorney general appealing to the Illinois Supreme… Read More