As the cost of higher education continues to rise in Illinois and elsewhere, a growing number of students are working to earn as many college credits as possible while they are still in high school. But even as the popularity continues to grow for “dual credit” offerings – courses in which a student earns credit […]
Peter Hancock
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New year, new laws
More than 300 new laws took effect Jan. 1, ranging from a ban on book bans to the regulation of “deepfake porn” and prohibitions on videoconferencing while driving. Thanks to a law signed in 2019, workers at the lowest end of the pay scale will see a pay raise with the new year as the state […]
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Dolly Parton Imagination Library officially launches statewide in Illinois
Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children’s books that can be sent directly to their home, regardless of their income. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the official launch of the state’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program founded by the country music legend in 1995 in her […]
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State school board weighs increased funding requests
Officials at the Illinois State Board of Education say they’re receiving more requests for increased funding for next year than the state could possibly afford, and they’re bracing for the possibility that budgets will start to tighten in the near future. “It does appear that revenue will be a little bit tighter in the next […]
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State Supreme Court weighs constitutionality of lifetime restrictions on child sex offenders
The Illinois Supreme Court is weighing whether it is constitutional to impose lifetime restrictions on where a person can live after they’ve been convicted of a sex crime involving a minor. “It’s been 21 years – almost 21 years since my conviction,” Martin Kopf told the court’s seven justices Nov. 15. “I have been totally […]
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Latest state school report card shows proficiency gains, but persistent gaps on racial lines
Elementary and secondary students in Illinois showed consistent improvements in their reading and math scores while the state’s high school graduation rate reached a 13-year high for the most recently concluded school year. Those are some of the conclusions from the most recent annual statewide school report card, released Monday, Oct. 30, by the Illinois […]
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Assault weapon registration period remains open as Illinois State Police seeks further input
People who own certain guns and other items now prohibited under the state’s assault weapons ban still need to register them with the Illinois State Police. But ISP says it plans to hold additional public hearings about that process and may refine the rules before they become permanent next year. “We are happy to address […]
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Pritzker proposes creation of new standalone early childhood agency
Vowing to make Illinois the top state in the nation for child care accessibility, Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled a plan Oct. 24 to consolidate all the state’s early childhood programs and funding into one new state agency. “Early childhood program governance has to be unified in its focus on serving children and families, easing the […]
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Illinois’ educator workforce improves, but teacher shortages persist in some areas
The supply of education professionals continues to improve in Illinois despite strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but persistent issues remain in certain regions of the state and within some teaching fields. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the education advocacy group Advance Illinois, which was instrumental in the 2017 passage of […]
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Nurses unions push for mandatory staff-to-patient ratios
Unions representing nurses in Illinois are pushing for legislation that would impose mandatory staff-to-patient ratios in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. But lobby groups representing hospitals and nursing homes say they are steadfastly opposed to the legislation, arguing that a nationwide nursing shortage makes it impossible to comply with such a mandate. […]
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Firearms industry could be sued for deceptive marketing
A new Illinois law restricts the way gun dealers and manufacturers can market and sell their products and subjects them to civil penalties for violations. Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 218 into law Saturday, Aug. 12. Labeled the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, it took effect immediately. “We hold opioid manufacturers accountable. Vaping companies accountable. […]
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Pritzker campaigns for Smart Start preschool plan
One day after delivering his budget address last week, Gov. JB Pritzker took to the road Feb. 16 to rally support for his proposed “Smart Start” program to expand access to preschool and child care throughout the state. “It is important for us to make sure that every 3- and 4-year-old in Illinois can go […]
