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 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

November 13, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

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.

###

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Feds take steps to dismantle ED, states respond

WATCH: Feds take steps to dismantle ED, states respond

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Since the Trump administration’s moves to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, it has prompted a wide range of reactions from state education leaders nationwide....
Inflation-adjusted teacher salaries drop despite record spending on public education

Inflation-adjusted teacher salaries drop despite record spending on public education

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says structural problems have led to record-high spending on public education in Illinois and...
State officials race clock amid legal changes to gerrymandered maps

State officials race clock amid legal changes to gerrymandered maps

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square States looking to pad partisan advantage by redrawing political maps ahead of the 2026 midterms face mounting legal challenges and a fresh race against the...
Illinois quick hits: CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH

Illinois quick hits: CDC’s autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized The Illinois Department of Public Health is criticizing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
Federal judge orders halt to National Guard deployment in DC

Federal judge orders halt to National Guard deployment in DC

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in the District of Columbia ordered the Trump administration to end its deployment of the National Guard in the nation's capital. Judge...
Consumer group files amicus brief on behalf of NRA’s petition to Supreme Court

Consumer group files amicus brief on behalf of NRA’s petition to Supreme Court

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumers’ Research says consumers must be protected from government officials who abuse their power as it filed an amicus brief in support of the National...
Report links Minnesota welfare fraud to terrorist funding

Report links Minnesota welfare fraud to terrorist funding

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square New reports allege that millions of taxpayer dollars have been fraudulently stolen from the Minnesota welfare system and then sent to the Somali-based terror group...
White House denies Trump wants to execute 'seditious' Dem lawmakers

White House denies Trump wants to execute ‘seditious’ Dem lawmakers

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Despite several social media posts that seem to suggest the contrary, President Donald Trump does not want to execute Democratic members of Congress for “seditious...
IL GOP U.S. Senate candidate says state needs balanced representation

IL GOP U.S. Senate candidate says state needs balanced representation

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite having to push through a potentially crowded primary field, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy says...
Wheat price drop brings notable Thanksgiving savings for Illinois families

Wheat price drop brings notable Thanksgiving savings for Illinois families

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois families will see some relief at the Thanksgiving table this year, with the average cost...
Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and practicing physician weighs said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F....
September jobs report adds 119,000, steady unemployment

September jobs report adds 119,000, steady unemployment

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The delayed release of a September report on the labor market appeared to defy expectations. The report showed employers added 119,000 jobs in September, a...
Indicted Florida congresswoman leaves committee leadership post

Indicted Florida congresswoman leaves committee leadership post

By Merrilee GasserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, indicted on charges of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and using some of it for her campaign,...
Existing home sales up 1.2% in October

Existing home sales up 1.2% in October

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Sales of existing homes climbed 1.2% in October, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors. The 1.2% increase in existing-home...
Chip Roy calls for full pause on all U.S. immigration

Chip Roy calls for full pause on all U.S. immigration

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is proposing a freeze to legal immigration admissions and visa issuances until the federal government addresses changes to the immigration...