Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:55 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:55:19 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:43 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:43:56 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:43 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:43:56 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Saturday, June 15 2013 12:19 PM EDT2013-06-15 16:19:59 GMT
While the school year is winding down for Chicago Public Schools students, police and other city departments are preparing Safe Passage routes for the fall.
While the school year is winding down for Chicago Public Schools students, police and other city departments are preparing Safe Passage routes for the fall.
Friday, June 14 2013 9:10 PM EDT2013-06-15 01:10:30 GMT
About 850 teachers and staffers at schools doomed to either close this month or to reboot their staffs were handed pink slips Friday afternoon, according to Chicago Public Schools.
About 850 teachers and staffers at schools doomed to either close this month or to reboot their staffs were handed pink slips Friday afternoon, according to Chicago Public Schools.
Learn-a-palooza is a free festival where people learn from one another. Organizers say their mission is to foster free, creative exploration and help strengthen and develop communities. Kinna Thompson explains.
Learn-a-palooza is a free festival where people learn from one another. Organizers say their mission is to foster free, creative exploration and help strengthen and develop communities. Kinna Thompson explains.
Thursday, June 13 2013 10:49 AM EDT2013-06-13 14:49:47 GMT
Homelessness remains a big problem facing Chicago and the state of Illinois, particularly for military veterans. The Pritzker Military Library is doing its part to stop the trend.
Homelessness remains a big problem facing Chicago and the state of Illinois, particularly for military veterans. The Pritzker Military Library is doing its part to stop the trend.
A group of authors are touring the country on the Young Authors Give Back tour, trying to inspire young writers to follow their dreams. Authors Erin Bowman and Kat Zhang explained how the tour works.
A group of authors are touring the country on the Young Authors Give Back tour, trying to inspire young writers to follow their dreams. Authors Erin Bowman and Kat Zhang explained how the tour works.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:02 AM EDT2013-06-12 15:02:19 GMT
For now, Chicago Public Schools has legally left the door open to the possibility of halting 10 of its 50 historic school closings, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
For now, Chicago Public Schools has legally left the door open to the possibility of halting 10 of its 50 historic school closings, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Baseball legend and Cubs Hall of Famer Andre "The Hawk" Dawson works with Citi Cub Kids, a program that partners with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. He's visiting Polaris Charter Academy to send a positive message!
Baseball legend and Cubs Hall of Famer Andre "The Hawk" Dawson works with Citi Cub Kids, a program that partners with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. He's visiting Polaris Charter Academy to send a positive message!
The Little Style File's Kristin Cheuvront shared great ideas on how to keep the kids entertained this summer, like playing in nature, getting into the kitchen, encouraging reading and developing personal style!
The Little Style File's Kristin Cheuvront shared great ideas on how to keep the kids entertained this summer, like playing in nature, getting into the kitchen, encouraging reading and developing personal style!
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Educators, parents and politicians gathered in Palos Heights Thursday to help Illinois' little ones get a head start – and let those in charge of the budget know that we only have on chance to get it right.
They're concerned that there could be cutbacks in funding for early childhood education because of the state's financial condition.
They want our elected leaders, including Governor Quinn, Illinois' Speaker of the House Mike Madigan and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton to know that quality teaching between ages 3 and 5 can pay lifelong dividends.
"The best thing that we do here is we really include all," Cathy Leslie said, "and they all benefit from each other."
Leslie is the director of the prekindergarten program at Indian Hill School at District 128 in Palos Heights. It's all about early childhood education at this school, where children as young as 3 start down a path to lifelong learning.
The classes are mixed when it comes to age, as well as ability. The school caters to at-risk children, special needs kids, those typically developed and accelerated young ones.
You can't tell because looks are deceiving, but there is trouble afoot here and every early childhood school in Illinois.
Public funding is at risk because the state's finances are a mess. Educators worry that one day it could dry up altogether.
Assistant Principal Mary Lynn Duffy has a message to our state leaders: don't cut early childhood funding for these kids, or society at large will suffer in the long run.
"You do watch them develop over time," Duffy said. "You see the changes that occur, and there is no doubt that there is a difference. The biggest amount of learning happens between the ages of 3 and 5."
Duffy, and many other educators, thinks the boat is upside down. She said those allocating funds will get the biggest return if they invest in early childhood education, because the path to success begins here.
Advocates want to remind legislators that Illinois children are not only competing with kids from other districts in the state, but with children across the country, in states where education funding is not so hard to come by.
They want to remind state lawmakers that in this global economy, early childhood education is key, and Illinois needs to get its act together.
Early childhood education advocates urge legislators to invest in Illinois kidsMore>>
Educators, parents and politicians gathered in Palos Heights Thursday to help Illinois' little ones get a head start – and let those in charge of the budget know that we only have on chance to get it right.
Educators, parents and politicians gathered in Palos Heights Thursday to help Illinois' little ones get a head start – and let those in charge of the budget know that we only have on chance to get it right.
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