Rural student “didn’t see any changes” after Illinois LGBTQ+ history law passed
Common textbooks from companies like McGraw Hill have long included information on Asian American, African American and Native American history — but not LGBTQ+ history. That can make it challenging for teachers to comply with Illinois inclusive history requirements.
High schoolers in rural, western Illinois learn the history of why their town is white
“My students want to ask about lynchings in the area,” said Cuba High School history teacher Joe Brewer. “It’s difficult for folks to talk about still, but those are the exact questions my students want to address.”
Heat wave over central Illinois to peak this weekend
Heat waves are defined by humidity and unseasonably warm temperatures, according to IPM Meteorologist Andrew Pritchard. He said summer temperatures five to 10 degrees above the monthly average feel like heat waves.
New opponent emerges for Nikki Budzinski, with support from Green Party presidential hopeful Jill Stein
On Thursday, 27-year-old Chibuihe “Chibu” Asonye stumped with Green Party presidential hopeful Jill Stein in Champaign-Urbana.
Sam Banks and Mark Holm selected to join Champaign Unit 4 school board after months of turmoil
The Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education announced the selection Friday, after months of turbulence on the Champaign Unit 4 Board of Education.
State Jewish Caucus members visit University of Illinois during pro-Palestine encampment
Three lawmakers in Illinois’ Jewish Caucus visited the University of Illinois Monday to support Jewish students.
Illinois schools have to offer a vegan lunch if a student request it in advance. Urbana schools go one step further.
Since the fall of 2023 a state law requires all Illinois school districts to provide vegan lunches if requested by a student in advance. Urbana School District 116 goes one step further and offers vegan lunches every day.
Yankee Ridge Elementary School to become Urbana’s first fully multilingual school
The Urbana District 116 Board of Education voted 4-3 on Tuesday to convert Yankee Ridge Elementary School into a fully multilingual school.
Champaign Unit 4 school board unable to vote in new members because of protests by current members
Eight candidates showed up to the Champaign Unit 4 school board meeting Tuesday to interview for two empty seats. Because board members Amy Armstrong and Betsy Holder were absent in protest, there weren’t enough members to hold the meeting.
Resignations, walkouts and protests mark Champaign Unit 4 school board meetings this spring
CHAMPAIGN — Two school board members walked out of Monday’s Champaign Unit 4 Board of Education meeting, preventing the others from taking any action. This follows the resignation of two other board members, including Jamar Brown, earlier in March. “After my first term, I dubbed that experience as the best thing that I never wanted […]
Laurie Brauer emerges as Democratic pick for Champaign County coroner in unofficial primary results
Laurie Brauer has won 74 percent of the Democratic vote to become Champaign County coroner, according to unofficial primary results posted late Tuesday evening by the county clerk’s office.
One of Champaign County’s most contested primaries is for coroner
Two Democrats and one Republican are vying for the job of coroner in Champagin County during Tuesday’s primary election.
University of Illinois’ first vice chancellor of Native affairs: “I feel very disrespected”
The University of Illinois is not renewing their contract with the school’s first associate vice chancellor for Native affairs. Associate Vice Chancellor Jacki Rand said it’s part of a larger problem Native faculty and students face.
Illinois now requires public schools to teach LGBTQ+, Asian American and pre-enslavement Black history. Are teachers ready?
Over half of Illinois teachers say they are ready to fulfill new state history requirements, according to a University of Illinois survey.
Over one-third of Illinois fourth graders don’t have basic reading skills. The state has a plan to change that
Senate Bill 2243 required the Illinois State Board of Education to create a literacy plan. The law emphasizes the plan should help school districts adopt evidence-based teaching strategies, including phonics.