Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case

Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed an appellate court’s ruling in a case involving state requirements of public school districts when transporting students to and from a nonpublic school.

Parents of students at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis filed suit in 2022 after School District 189 stopped providing bus service to Bowman students, citing a shortage of bus drivers.

The supreme court ruled that the district’s transportation obligation was limited to points along its regular bus routes.

HONDURAN MAN SENTENCED AFTER SEVEN DEPORTATIONS

A Honduran national has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported seven times.

Federal prosecutors say Chicago police arrested Jefry Estrada Pastrana, 37, after he failed to appear in court for a Cook County case involving alleged theft and forgery.

Estrada Pastrana pleaded guilty to unlawful re-entry in April and is subject to removal from the U.S.

CHICAGO MAYOR ESTABLISHES GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION OFFICE

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order establishing the new Office of Gun Violence Reduction.

The agency to be led by the deputy mayor for community safety will be tasked with coordinating violence prevention efforts, victim services and community safety investments.

The Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, executive director at Live Free Illinois, told The Center Square the new department would be funded by Chicago taxpayers.

STATE HEALTH DEPT. ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL CHILDHOOD LEAD TESTING

The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that universal childhood blood lead testing will take effect Wednesday.

Previously, state lead testing requirements applied to children living in high-risk zip codes. Under the new standard, all Illinois children are to be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Report: Washington high schools rank near bottom in personal finance literacy

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A new report finds Washington state ranks near the bottom in the nation when it comes to financial literacy education for high school students. WalletHub...
Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Despite public support and majorities in both houses, Republicans have been unable to pass the SAVE Act because of Democratic objections in...
Democrats 'Red to Blue' targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

Democrats ‘Red to Blue’ targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting multiple seats in Congress to take back the Democratic majority in November. Its “2026 Red to Blue”...
Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would force employers to pay employees regular wages while they...
VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has improved suicide risk screening and follow-up care among veterans in its system after a December 2024 federal watchdog...
Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapon, claims deal is close

Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapon, claims deal is close

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A breakthrough deal may be on the horizon between the U.S. and Iran, according to President Donald Trump. During a Wednesday afternoon news conference in...
Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Late-Inning Surge and Dominant Relief Lift Beecher Past Bloom 12-5

The Beecher varsity baseball team secured a 12-5 non-conference road victory over Bloom on Tuesday afternoon, using a combination of late-inning offensive fireworks and a lights-out relief performance by Chasten...
Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats in Congress on Wednesday renewed calls for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to resign after testifying about his ties to convicted sex offender...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Norkus Strikes Out 16 in One-Hit Masterpiece as Beecher Downs Donovan 10-1

The Beecher varsity softball team rode a dominant pitching performance by senior Taylor Norkus to a commanding 10-1 home conference victory over Donovan on Tuesday. Norkus was nearly untouchable in...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Carmela Irwin Throws One-Hitter as Beecher Offense Erupts in 18-1 Rout of Donovan

The Beecher varsity softball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault on Tuesday, capitalizing on Donovan’s defensive miscues to roll to a decisive 18-1 home conference victory in a four-inning, run-rule...
Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-TX, and her north Texas colleagues have called for a federal investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud occurring in counties...
Foxx: Prosecutors’ ‘silence’ on murder exonerations doesn’t mean ‘innocent’

Foxx: Prosecutors’ ‘silence’ on murder exonerations doesn’t mean ‘innocent’

By Jonathan Bilyk | :era; NewslineThe Center Square Attorneys for one of two Mexican men who claim they were illegally coerced into confessing to helping murder a Chicago couple to...
Illinois Quick Hits: ISU union workers reach deal, return to work

Illinois Quick Hits: ISU union workers reach deal, return to work

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 300 Illinois State University employees are back on the job after ratifying a new five-year...
Trump's Iran objective moves from 'surrender' to nuclear deal

Trump’s Iran objective moves from ‘surrender’ to nuclear deal

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square In seven weeks, President Donald Trump's stated objective toward Iran has shifted from "unconditional surrender" to a negotiated nuclear deal. The administration has not explained...
Democrats demand answers from Trump on consumer costs of Iran conflict

Democrats demand answers from Trump on consumer costs of Iran conflict

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the U.S. conflict in Iran stretching past the 67-day mark, a group of senior House Democrats are questioning whether the Trump administration has any...