Education
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for August 20, 2025
The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees focused on a major technological overhaul, celebrated milestones in student support, and addressed internal governance issues at its regular meeting on August 20,...
Tensions Flare as JJC Chairman Rebukes “Entitlement” After Trustee Lists Demands
Article Summary: Apparent tensions on the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees surfaced during its meeting on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, when one trustee requested to be returned to "good...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education for August 18, 2025
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year during its meeting on Monday. The budget projects a...
Peotone School Board Rejects Mandating Live-Streaming in 4-3 Vote
Article Summary: The Peotone school board has opted against requiring its meetings to be live-streamed, finalizing a new committee policy after a 4-3 vote defeated the mandate. The decision followed...
Lincoln-Way Board Approves Special Education Co-op Budget Amid Concerns Over Rising Costs
Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Lincoln-Way Special Education District 843 cooperative, while officials expressed concern over significant cost...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education for August 18, 2025
The Peotone Board of Education’s August 18 meeting was defined by the district’s precarious financial situation. With a projected $4.2 million operating deficit and its borrowing capacity nearly exhausted, the...
Acting, Consulting Superintendents to Lead Peotone Schools During Owens’ Absence
Article Summary: Superintendent Brandon Owens is recuperating at home following a vehicle accident, prompting the Peotone Board of Education to establish an interim leadership team. Assistant Superintendent Carole Zurales will...
Lincoln-Way Board Reviews $162 Million Tentative Budget, Projects Deficit Due to Bus Purchase Timing
Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes a 5.48% increase in operating expenses...
Will County Board Meetings
Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has entered into a two-year agreement with Will County Animal Protection Services to handle calls regarding bats...
Crete “Group Care” Home Approved for Senior Living
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a special use permit for a senior group care home in Crete Township. The facility...
New Bar Approved in Frankfort Despite Board Opposition
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board narrowly approved a special use permit for a new bar in Frankfort Township, paving the way for...
County Takes Over “Central Will” Dial-A-Ride in Major Consolidation
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to absorb the "Central Will" Dial-A-Ride system into the county-wide "Access Will County"...
Board Denies Appeal for “Tiny Home” RV Living in Crete
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board voted 19-2 to uphold a denial of a temporary use permit for a recreational vehicle (RV) being...
Will County Board Rejects Proposed Tax Hike, Approves 0% Levy Increase in Contentious Vote
Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: In a significant move providing relief to taxpayers, the Will County Board on Thursday, October 16, 2025, voted to approve...
Green Garden’s Wildflower Farm Granted Second Extension for Rural Events Permit
Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Bengston Land Management, LLC, operators of The Wildflower Farm in Green Garden Township, received a second 180-day extension from the...
Will County Board Compromises on Mental Health Levy, Approves $10 Million After Debate
Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board on Thursday, October 16, 2025, approved a $10 million tax levy for the Community Mental Health...
Regional Office of Education Highlights School Safety, New Learning Programs in Update
Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Will County Regional Superintendent Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff updated the County Board on key initiatives, including the installation of shooter-resistant window...
Illinois News
‘Trouble in Toyland’ report sounds alarm on AI toys
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Parents should take precaution this holiday season when it comes to artificial intelligence toys after researchers...
IL congressman’s retirement announcement sparks calls for election fixes
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Common Cause Illinois is urging lawmakers to close what it calls an “anti-democratic” loophole after Rep....
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ‘fat slob;’ Talk of reviving progressive tax criticized
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from...
Illinois quick hits: Man arrested for threating legislator; vigilance urged during shopping season
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man arrested for threating legislator Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation special agents have arrested a Chicago man on charges...
Illinois quick hits: Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man Three juvenile Venezuelan migrants are part of a group that allegedly attacked, murdered, and...
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker a ‘fat slob,’ Illinois governor blasts president
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has revived his criticism of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over crime, and Pritzker has...
Illinois business group warns of ‘backbreaking’ progressive income tax
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Manufacturers say legislators at the Illinois State Capitol have done enough damage and a progressive tax would...
National News
When was the first Thanksgiving? It’s actually up for debate
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving this year, many believe the first thanksgiving was held in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. However, the first Thanksgiving celebration was held...
Spirit of Thanksgiving in Galveston: Resilience, rebirth, renewal out of rubble
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Thanksgiving, and the holiday season in general, can be a sorrowful and lonely time for many, but artists in Galveston and a faith community have...
Feds criticized for excluding health care from student loan caps
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s move to establish new borrowing caps for professional and graduate students, excluding several health care programs, has drawn criticism from...
Two National Guard members shot near White House
By Sarah Roderick-Fitch and Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Two National Guard members from West Virginia were shot Wednesday afternoon near the White House, the state's governor confirmed. Gov. Pat Morrisey...
Trump election interference case in Georgia dismissed
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Election interference charges in Georgia against second-term Republican President Donald Trump were motioned for dismissal Wednesday by the Prosecuting Attorney's Council. In response, the president...
New park fee for foreign tourists could generate hundreds of millions
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Trump administration announced it is raising prices for nonresidents visiting national parks, a move that worries some tourism advocates but could generate hundreds of...
CDL proposals focus on safety as American truckers lose jobs, wages
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Rising scrutiny of 194,000 state-issued nondomiciled CDLs to foreign workers with poor English language proficiency reveal two routes to safety. Rule change is one, done...
