Black students, constituting 3.2% or 30 of Mattoon High School's total student population of 947, accounted for 23 out of the 285 total suspensions (8.1%) in the 2021-22 school year, averaging roughly one suspension per student, according to the latest student discipline report by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Ed Burke, the former Chicago alderman, has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of federal corruption charges. Burke, who was once considered the most powerful alderman in the city, is accused of abusing his powers for personal gain. The charges stem from allegations that he engaged in bribery and extortion while in office.The trial focuses on several instances in which Burke allegedly used his position to shake down businessmen and organizations seeking to do business with the City Hall. One particular incident involves the alleged threat of business owners for not hiring his...
Illinois Democrats have come under fire for failing to comply with the law that requires annual reports on the Invest in Kids scholarship program. The program, which has provided opportunities for over 9,500 low-income students to attend schools that best suit their learning needs, has been hailed as a success by children and parents alike. However, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has failed to provide any reports on the progress of these students.The Invest in Kids scholarship program was established to help low-income students access quality education. It...
Multiracial students, constituting 2.4% or 18 of Effingham High School's total student population of 735, accounted for seven out of the 111 total suspensions (6.3%) in the 2021-22 school year, averaging roughly one suspension per three students, according to the latest student discipline report by the Illinois State Board of Education.
State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) recently hosted a dedication ceremony to honor the memory and sacrifice of Navy Lt. Bruce A. Williams, a St. Elmo native who tragically lost his life twenty-five years ago. The ceremony, which took place on November 13, 2023, was held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7676 in Altamont and brought together family members from across the country.Rep. Wilhour, along with State Senator Jason Plummer, sponsored House Joint Resolution 34, with Senator Plummer leading the legislation in the Senate. The resolution...
The Illinois State Board of Education has come under scrutiny for failing to track the progress of students as required by the Invest in Kids Act. This popular program, which aimed to provide scholarships for students from low-income families to attend private schools, has been allowed to expire without even a vote from the Democrats. One of the key components of the Invest in Kids Act was the requirement for annual reports to be submitted to lawmakers, detailing the effectiveness and impact of the program. These reports would have provided valuable insight into how well...