Illinois State Board of Education

State funding for many school districts in the Metro East have been increasing since Illinois revamped how it funds education under former GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The report card is a big part of Illinois' school accountability system and assigns schools one of five categories according to their performance.

Proponents said consolidating the two small districts would reduce overhead costs, increase financial stability and improve the schools’ academic and athletic opportunities for students.

A former school administrator and a regional superintendent pitched the benefits of a merger to members of both boards this week.

Illinois high school students will begin taking the new exams in Spring 2025.

While each state has different regulations for homeschooling, Illinois is among a small minority that places virtually no rules on parents who homeschool their children.

Grant School District 110 failed to apply for several federal grants in recent years. The district was certified as being in "financial difficulty" in March by the Illinois' State Board of Education.

Advocates for after-school programs say an estimated 40,000 Illinois students could lose access to services starting this summer unless lawmakers act to fill a $50 million funding shortfall.

In fiscal year 2025, the district will reduce its expenditures by about $266,000 due to staff attrition and some students not being placed in out-of-district programs.

The Illinois State Board of Education found Grant Community Consolidated School District 110 as being in "financial difficulty" last week. The teachers' union says the superintendent should resign.