Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold
Illinois House members vote along party lines
Illinois U.S. House members voted along party lines as the chamber approved legislation to end the partial shutdown of the federal government on Wednesday night. All of the state’s Democratic U.S. representatives voted against the measure, and the three Illinois Republicans voted in favor. President Donald Trump promptly signed the bill to end the 45-day shutdown.
State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced that Illinois’ Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan earned its seventh gold rating from Morningstar. A statement from Frerichs’ office said the Chicago-based financial company listed Bright Start as one of only five gold-rated 529 plans in the country, citing “compelling investment options that are also highly cost-effective.”
More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days
Teacher absenteeism rates are rising in Chicago Public Schools and remain high in public schools statewide. Citing data from the Illinois State Board of Education’s Illinois Report Card, the Illinois Policy Institute said 43.2% of CPS teachers missed ten days or more during the 2024-25 school year. Statewide, 34% of public school teachers missed ten days or more for the second consecutive year.
###
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Commission Approves Massive Lake Michigan Water Infrastructure Project for Troy Township
Committee: Capital Improvements Committee Weighs $300 Million Options for Downtown Joliet Campus
Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary
US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act
CBO says Pentagon’s Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion
VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target
DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug
Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge
Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project
Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth
Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers
