Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Hastings school safety measure “Alyssa’s Law” passes Senate State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on previous school safety legislation by passing a measure that would enable the use of mobile panic alert systems in Illinois schools. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of…
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Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is spearheading legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis. “Every second matters…
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Hastings brings in over $7.2 million in additional funding for local schools through evidence-based funding formula State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced today that local schools in the South Suburbs will receive more than $7.2 million in new evidence-based funding as part of the continued implementation of the landmark education funding reform he supported in…
When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…
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Tresser to lead Town Hall on damage Orland Park’s 3 New TIFs will have on taxpayers A Town Hall meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 beginning at 6:30 PM to help homeowners and taxpayers in Orland Park understand the negative impact on local governments and schools that the three NEW TIFs that…
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Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Plan to Allow Leftover College Savings Funds to Be Used For Retirement Signed Into Law Treasurer Michael Frerichs Thanks Governor, Lawmakers for Bipartisan Approval Parents who don’t use all the money in their Illinois 529 College Savings Accounts (Bright Start and Bright Directions) are now able to roll over the…
Full-day kindergarten now mandated by new law supported by Senator Michael Hastings Children across the south suburbs will soon have access to full-day kindergarten, thanks to a law supported by State Senator Michael E. Hastings that was signed into law this week. “Early education is crucial to setting our children on a path to be…
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International Education Delegation Visits Ukraine to Stand with Country’s Children, Teachers Ukrainian schools devastated by Russia’s War need support and a plan to rebuild An international delegation of education officials, led by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Education International General Secretary David Edwards, traveled to Ukraine today for visits and meetings with…
Stagg High school Charger receives 1st place in translation competition Amos Alonzo Stagg High School senior Iza Lepkowski received first place in the Polish-English division of the 2022-23 Illinois High School Translation Competition hosted by the European Union Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Forty-three students from 24 schools in Illinois participated in the…
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Rep. Newman Secures $23,536,540 for Local Projects in Final Government Funding Package Investments will increase access to critical health care services, expand educational and workforce opportunities for students, and continue modernizing transportation and infrastructure systems to address flooding and congestion. U.S. Representative Marie Newman announced Dec. 21, 2022, that $23,536,540 in Community Project Funding…
ISBE announces eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price lunch, breakfast, and after-school snacks Families are encouraged to contact their local school for details on accessing free and reduced-price meals With students returning to classrooms across the state, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is announcing the eligibility guidelines for students to receive free and…
Orland Township hosts Back-to-School Health Fair for students The Back-to-School Health Fair is taking place on Saturday, August 14th Orland Township’s Back-to-School Health Fair is quickly approaching! Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees are excited to help everyone get ready to go back to school. The fair, which will take place on Saturday,…
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Abir Othman named next Principal at Andrew High School The High School District 230 School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Abir Othman as Principal of Andrew High School, in light of the promotion of Dr. Robert Nolting to the role of Superintendent beginning on July 1, 2021. “Abir is a strong and compassionate leader…
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Pritzker signs bill raising minimum teacher salaries to $40,000 to address statewide teacher shortage Taking another step to address the statewide teacher shortage, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation today raising teachers’ minimum salary to $40,000. “As Illinois children head back to school this week and next, this new law says to them and their…
School should be more than just an education As my son readies for college, I reminisce about what it was like 50 years ago when I left homew to go to college. It was a different world then and a different world today By Ray Hanania My son Aaron leaves for college next week and…
Oak Park Police increase presence as students return to school With the new school year about to get underway, Oak Park Police are preparing to ramp up enforcement efforts to protect the many students who walk and bicycle along community streets to and from neighborhood schools. Additional enforcement efforts are planned at key crossings and…
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Mayor Emanuel launches mentoring initiative to help high risk youth MAYOR EMANUEL ANNOUNCES MENTORING INITIATIVE TO SERVE AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 YOUTH IN HIGHEST RISK COMMUNITIES THIS FALL Latest expansions brings the City more than 90 percent towards its goal of reaching approximately 7,200 youths by 2018 Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced another step toward achieving…
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Is the school year starting too soon? It’s the beginning of August and my son is already consumed with figuring out his high school schedule and buying his books and schools supplies. Isn’t that too early for young people to stop enjoying summer vacation and worry about school? By Ray Hanania When I was a…