The Illinois State Board of Education is requesting a $10.9 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes the Evidence-Based Funding formula that has been in place for nearly a decade and has resulted in increased graduation rates, narrowed achievement gaps, and improved student growth.
Education
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One hundred free coats, hats and gloves donated to Cunningham School by 4 Kids’ Sake Food Pantry
State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, joined 4 Kids’ Sake Food Pantry to deliver 100 coats, hats and gloves to students at Cunningham School in Joliet.
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Joliet District 86 students Superintendent awards
21 students from Joliet Public Schools District 86 received the Superintendent’s Award for the second trimester of the 2025-2026 school year.
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Appeals court ends affordable SAVE Program for 7 million student loan borrowers
The end of the SAVE program and staff reductions at the Education Department will result in increased financial strain for borrowers, particularly those with the greatest financial need, and decreased oversight of loan servicers, potentially leading to inaccurate repayments.
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Will County Regional Spelling Bee Champion crowned at 2026 Scripps National Competition
Kingston McGhee, a 6th grader from Crete-Monee Middle School, won the 2026 Will County Regional Spelling Bee after 14 rounds of competition, and will advance to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
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Joliet West Student earns first place at regionals, qualifies for state math competition
Zeb Zamoras of Joliet West High School has qualified for the state math competition after placing first in the Algebra 2 event at the regional contest.
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Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship available
The Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship Fund is offering $50,000 in scholarships to 20 applicants residing in 10 Illinois counties to help ease the financial burden of continuing education.
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Two Plainfield East High School seniors named 2026 National Merit
Kyleah Edison and Rishi Shah of Plainfield East High School have been named National Merit Scholarship 2026 finalists and will compete for one of 2,500 scholarships.
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JOLIET PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT 86 STUDENTS ADVANCE TO SCIENCE REGIONALS
Samantha Trujillo and Nathaly Velazquez from Dirksen Junior High School won Double Gold Trophies for their “Light Engineered” design project at the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Extravaganza, and will be joining other gold medal winners at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) Region 9 Science Fair Exposition in 2026.
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Joliet Township High School Students Named 2026 Illinois State Scholars
Ninety-four students from Joliet Township High School’s graduating class of 2026 were recognized at the February Board of Education meeting for earning the prestigious Illinois State Scholar designation.
