Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Some worry Illinois schools underperforming despite increased funding
Public education advocates say Illinois’ evidence-based funding model has adequately funded schools. However, one lawmaker says students are still underperforming.
Illinois’ evidence-based K-12 schools funding model aims to send more state resources to areas determined to be “under-resourced.” On Tuesday, the Illinois House Appropriations committee met with school and tax advocates to discuss the future of the model ahead of budget season.
Capitol News Illinois: Newly signed laws include creation of tourism districts, criminal justice reforms
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed 15 bills into law, tackling policy areas from tourism to prison reform and making it easier for people previously convicted of felonies to legally change their name.
The laws passed the General Assembly in their recently concluded lame duck legislative session in January, and Pritzker’s signature came less than a week before his budget address, scheduled for Wednesday at the Capitol.
WTTW: City Officials Could Have Prevented Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion, According to Full Watchdog Report
Chicago officials could have prevented a plume of dust from enveloping Little Village in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by requiring the firms demolishing the former Crawford Power Plant to get a new permit before using explosives to bring down the a smokestack, according to a confidential report by the city’s watchdog obtained by WTTW News.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who will ask Chicago voters to reelect her in precisely two weeks, has repeatedly refused to make the report public, ignoring a resolution unanimously passed by the Chicago City Council in July demanding its release.
Chicago Tribune: Emergency SNAP benefits are ending. Here’s what that means for Chicago families.
On rainy afternoon last week, Robinette Haywood waited in line for a food pantry under an awning at the Chosen Tabernacle church with her two youngest children, Malachi, 5, and Reign, 3.
Haywood, 46, who previously worked packaging meat in Milwaukee, recently moved to Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood to be closer to family.
WGN: Chicago residents call 311 then wait … and wait … and wait
Chicago residents are told to contact 311 for help with everything from abandoned vehicles to pavement repairs and broken streetlights. But getting someone from the city to fix the problem is not as easy as picking up the phone.
That is what WGN Investigates found after a review of public records and interviews with residents citywide.