Chicago Neighborhoods Define The Issues
Many activist groups want the mayoral candidates to take a break from the mudslinging. We hear them describe some of the city’s big issues.
Linda Lutton
Former Reporter
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Mexican Street Food In Pilsen Now Includes Sweet Potatoes
With a traditional cart he made himself, a new vendor brings a delicious Mexican treat to the Pilsen neighborhood.
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Neighborhoods Front And Center At Forum For Mayoral Candidates
Hundreds attended a weekend forum aimed on getting candidates’ concrete plans for helping neighborhoods.
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Camping Out For Child Care
Parents brave frosty temperatures for one — or two — of the limited spots in the Chicago Park District’s after-school child care program.
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How Closing Schools Became A Huge Issue In Chicago Politics
We get the backstory on how a generation of school closings has changed the lives of Chicago’s kids and the nature of Chicago politics.
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Chicago Closed Or Shook Up 200 Schools: Who Was Helped, Who Was Hurt?
Some 70,000 kids, nearly all black, lived through a school shakeup, WBEZ finds. At the same time, CPS opened almost 200 schools.
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4 Of 5 Illinois Public Schools In Top Tiers Despite Low Test Scores
The state’s new rating system emphasizes year-over-year improvement, takes a less punitive approach to low performance.
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Illinois Schools Push Back On New ‘Underperforming’ And ‘Lowest Performing’ State Labels
State officials insist new labels being unveiled Wednesday aren’t a punishment. But some local school leaders believe the labels will hurt.
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New Grades Coming For Illinois Schools: ‘Exemplary’ To ‘Lowest Performing’
On Oct. 31, each school will receive a performance rating from the state — the first ratings issued under a new federal education law.
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Illinois Looking To Knock Down Barriers For Incoming Teachers
Faced with a teacher shortage, Illinois wants to smooth the way for would-be teachers, stoking fears of “deprofessionalizing” the field.
