State News
Survey pushes for greater focus on teacher recruitment
State board data shows unfilled classroom positions reached a five-year high in 2022 By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois schools are still grappling with a teacher shortage that seems to only be getting worse, a recent survey by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools shows. This mirrors the state’s own data,…
Read MoreGrains mostly higher, Livestock higher
CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly higher Friday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for Mar. advanced 23 cents at $7.7525 a bushel; Mar. corn rose 2.25 cents at $6.7925 a bushel; Mar. oats was off 4.25 cents at $3.83 a bushel; while Mar. soybeans was up 2 cents at…
Read MoreBarge traffic back to normal; lock closures loom
JOLIET, Ill. — A tow enters the lock chamber moving upstream at Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to close four locks on the upper Illinois River at Starved Rock, Marseilles, Dresden Island and Brandon Road for rehabilitation work from June 1 through Sept. 30. Photo by…
Read MorePritzker seeks more info on AP African American Studies course
Subject ignites culture war rhetoric with Florida Gov. DeSantis By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker this week asked the College Board for more information about its reasoning for changing the final framework of a new Advanced Placement course in African American studies after it had been criticized by Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron…
Read MoreEditorial: A week’s paid leave? What took Illinois so long?
Chicago Tribune. January 24, 2023. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he intends to sign a bill, passed by Illinois’ Democratic-controlled General Assembly, that would require employers to offer an hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, allowing employees to accrue and bank at least five days a year. The measure would take effect Jan.…
Read MoreEditorial: Pritzker’s windmill flip will be a flop in much of Illinois
Champaign News-Gazette. January 29, 2023. Saying one thing and doing another. State officials frequently say they support allowing local officials to make decisions on controversial issues. And they often do, right up to the point where local officials take positions their “betters” do not share. That’s when support for local authority comes to a screeching…
Read MoreGrains mostly lower, Livestock mixed
CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly lower Wednesday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for Mar. was off 5.75 cents at $7.5525 a bushel; Mar. corn fell 10 cents at $6.7575 a bushel; Mar. oats was up .75 cent at $3.9475 a bushel; while Mar. soybeans lost 13.75 cents at…
Read MoreAppellate court upholds assault gun ban ruling
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A temporary restraining order that partially blocks Illinois’ new assault weapons ban from being enforced will remain in place after a divided state appellate court panel’s ruling Tuesday. The restraining order was issued Jan. 20 by Effingham County Circuit Judge Joshua Morrison, but it applies only to…
Read MoreIllinois finds budget breathing room
Billions in budget surpluses have led to repayment of old, new debt By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Sustained higher-than-predicted state tax revenues have in recent months given lawmakers a level of budgeting flexibility that is, at least in modern times, without precedent in a state with a reputation for perilous finances. For the current fiscal…
Read MoreTony Sanders to become state superintendent of education
By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education announced Tuesday that Elgin-based School District U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders will become the next state superintendent of education. Sanders, 53, will succeed Carmen Ayala, who announced in November that she would retire effective Jan. 31. ISBE said Sanders will take…
Read More