State Government

‘Black history is American history,’ Illinois State Superintendent Tony Sanders wrote in response to guidance about diversity from the U.S. Department of Education.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered his annual budget and state of the state address on Wednesday. Here is what his proposal includes for education.

During his State of the State address on Wednesday, Pritzker said that educators have told him that cellphones are a distraction.

Education budget and protections for immigrant students will be on the legislative agenda, as the Trump administration’s policy changes create new uncertainty.

Senate Bill 28 would roll back changes made 15 years ago to link teacher quality to students’ success in the classroom.

Illinois students took the test known as the “nation’s report card” in spring 2024.

Illinois and Chicago have laws to protect immigrant students. As the Trump administration rapidly rolls back rights for immigrants across the country, here is what you should know about state and city law.

The Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship was created to steer more students of color into the teacher pipeline. But a lawsuit challenging the program could prevent that work in the future.

The State Board of Education’s proposals would bar expulsions for K-2 students, and keep schools from referring cases to local police.

Illinois Department of Early Childhood’s first secretary could be Teresa Ramos, a long-time education advocate, pending confirmation by the state Senate. Pritzker made the announcement Monday.

Chicago Public Schools is complying with state law on restraint and timeout practice, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. The board officially notified Chicago officials that it has closed an investigation that started in 2022 on the district’s restraint and timeout practices.

Illinois 3-8th grade students saw gains in reading and math scores in 2024, but SAT scores declined according to the state’s 2024 report card.

The Illinois State Board of Education kicked off budget season with a public hearing Thursday to get input on what it should propose to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Transportation woes hit Chicago Public Schools for the fourth consecutive year. Special education advocates say the State Board of Education needs to step in again.

With federal COVID relief funds drying up, school districts dealing with tighter budgets, and student chronic absenteeism high, Sanders talked to Chalkbeat Chicago about what the State Board of Education plans to do to support schools

Forty-nine Illinois school districts are still below 70% adequately funded, according to the state.

A research brief from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability said Illinois districts could be in a pinch with the state projecting less revenue from a tax on corporate profits.

Bills to keep police in some Chicago schools, prevent changes to the city’s selective enrollment schools, and provide stipends for student teachers all failed during the session

The $53.1 billion budget funds a new early childhood education department, creates a state child tax credit, and adds $350 million more to K-12 public schools.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson asked Illinois Senate President Don Harmon in a letter late Thursday to hold a bill that would block changes to selective enrollment schools and prevent any school closures until 2027.