{"id":156332,"date":"2021-11-29T15:55:52","date_gmt":"2021-11-29T21:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/?page_id=156332"},"modified":"2024-08-15T17:11:14","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T22:11:14","slug":"education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/education\/","title":{"rendered":"Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"156332\" class=\"elementor elementor-156332\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8748b45 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8748b45\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b8272c9\" data-id=\"b8272c9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07f21f4 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"07f21f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_masonry&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pagination_type&quot;:&quot;load_more_infinite_scroll&quot;,&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;load_more_spinner&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-spinner&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-259800 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-property-taxes category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/yes-a-positive-story-a-victory-for-everyday-illinoisans-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tYes, a positive story. A victory for everyday Illinoisans \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tJuly 3, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t13 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-259813 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/effingham.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"563\" height=\"312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/effingham.png 1071w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/effingham-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/effingham-1024x567.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/effingham-768x425.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/effingham-60x33.png 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In a state where property taxes keep going <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">up and up and up<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 and where they are already the highest in the country \u2013 Effingham voters just said enough is enough. They just successfully blocked a $57 million tax hike, but they had to rally like crazy to get the win.<\/span><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/yes-a-positive-story-a-victory-for-everyday-illinoisans-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Yes, a positive story. A victory for everyday Illinoisans \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-259674 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/sen-durbin-throws-illinois-students-under-the-bus-including-kids-from-his-own-east-st-louis-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tSen. Durbin throws Illinois students under the bus, including kids from his own East St. Louis \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tJuly 1, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t5 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-259703 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sen.-Durbin-opposes-federal-school-choice-program-ignores-failing-schools-in-his-hometown-of-East-St.-Louis.1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"571\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sen.-Durbin-opposes-federal-school-choice-program-ignores-failing-schools-in-his-hometown-of-East-St.-Louis.1.png 977w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sen.-Durbin-opposes-federal-school-choice-program-ignores-failing-schools-in-his-hometown-of-East-St.-Louis.1-300x244.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sen.-Durbin-opposes-federal-school-choice-program-ignores-failing-schools-in-his-hometown-of-East-St.-Louis.1-768x626.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sen.-Durbin-opposes-federal-school-choice-program-ignores-failing-schools-in-his-hometown-of-East-St.-Louis.1-60x49.png 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/>Sen. Dick Durbin opposes a new federal program that would deliver school choice to students in all 50 states, called the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). The program, supported by the President and Republican majorities, is part of the proposed budget omnibus currency being negotiated by Congress.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/sen-durbin-throws-illinois-students-under-the-bus-including-kids-from-his-own-east-st-louis-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Sen. Durbin throws Illinois students under the bus, including kids from his own East St. Louis \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-259334 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-budget-tax category-education category-property-taxes category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/new-illinois-law-makes-it-tougher-for-voters-to-block-school-district-borrowings-tax-hikes-effingham-is-a-good-illustration-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tNew Illinois law makes it tougher for voters to block school district borrowings\/tax hikes. Effingham good example. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tJune 23, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t36 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-259337 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cusd-40.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"577\" height=\"444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cusd-40.png 1600w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cusd-40-300x231.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cusd-40-1024x788.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cusd-40-768x591.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cusd-40-1536x1183.png 1536w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cusd-40-60x46.png 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/>Kudos to Effingham voters for getting in front of a bad law that disenfranchises Illinois taxpayers. Signed in September 2024 by Gov. Pritzker, the new law makes it tougher for voters to stop their school districts from borrowing money. The law should be repealed.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/new-illinois-law-makes-it-tougher-for-voters-to-block-school-district-borrowings-tax-hikes-effingham-is-a-good-illustration-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about New Illinois law makes it tougher for voters to block school district borrowings\/tax hikes. Effingham good example. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-258589 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/new-hampshire-joins-the-universal-school-choice-wave-illinois-increasingly-a-black-sheep-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tNew Hampshire joins the Universal School Choice wave. Illinois increasingly a black sheep. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tJune 9, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t5 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/School-choice-Iowa.png\" width=\"567\" height=\"297\" \/>Add one more state to the wave of Universal School Choice overtaking the country. This time the expansion is in New Hampshire. <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">School choice now practically surrounds Illinois. Parents should be demanding why Gov. Pritzker and his party\u2019s supermajorities reject educational freedom.<\/span><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/new-hampshire-joins-the-universal-school-choice-wave-illinois-increasingly-a-black-sheep-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about New Hampshire joins the Universal School Choice wave. Illinois increasingly a black sheep. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-257674 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/illinois-education-officials-look-to-hide-their-failures-by-lowering-reading-math-standards-just-say-no-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tIllinois education officials look to hide their failures by lowering reading, math standards. Just say no. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMay 21, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t8 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Illinois-student-results-on-2019-state-IAR-and-national-reading.png\" width=\"570\" height=\"287\" \/>There\u2019s a big push in the state education bureaucracy to lower the school reading standards that determine whether a child in Illinois is considered proficient in reading and math or not. If lowering standards makes no sense to you, you are right to be confused. Lower standards will do nothing to help Illinois kids become more proficient in reading. In fact, it will likely make things worse.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/illinois-education-officials-look-to-hide-their-failures-by-lowering-reading-math-standards-just-say-no-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Illinois education officials look to hide their failures by lowering reading, math standards. Just say no. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-257293 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/illinois-politicians-killed-school-choice-now-the-federal-government-could-deliver-it-anyway-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tIllinois politicians killed school choice. Now the federal government could deliver it anyway. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMay 15, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t10 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-257294 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ecca.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ecca.png 1366w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ecca-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ecca-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ecca-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ecca-60x34.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/>A group of union-dominated states \u2013 including California, New York, Oregon, Colorado and Illinois \u2013 are opposed to any form of school choice. Now the feds may deliver school choice to those states anyway via the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/illinois-politicians-killed-school-choice-now-the-federal-government-could-deliver-it-anyway-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Illinois politicians killed school choice. Now the federal government could deliver it anyway. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-256709 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/illinois-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states-gov-abbott-signs-universal-school-choice-into-texas-law-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tIllinois increasingly surrounded by school choice states. Gov. Abbott signs universal school choice into Texas law \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMay 5, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t5 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-256711 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Illinois-is-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"557\" height=\"324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Illinois-is-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states.png 1315w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Illinois-is-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states-300x175.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Illinois-is-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states-1024x596.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Illinois-is-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states-768x447.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Illinois-is-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states-60x35.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px\" \/>In what should create envy in many Illinois parents \u2013 especially those with children trapped in schools where not a single student can read at grade level \u2013 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed on Saturday the nation\u2019s largest day-one school choice program into law.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/illinois-increasingly-surrounded-by-school-choice-states-gov-abbott-signs-universal-school-choice-into-texas-law-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Illinois increasingly surrounded by school choice states. Gov. Abbott signs universal school choice into Texas law \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-256316 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-chicago-issues category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/2024-education-fail-not-a-single-child-tested-proficient-in-math-in-80-illinois-schools-for-reading-its-24-schools-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t2024 data: Not a single child tested proficient in math in 80 Illinois schools. For reading, it was 24 schools. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tApril 28, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t51 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-256319 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Illinois-schools-where-not-a-single-kid-can-read.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"568\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Illinois-schools-where-not-a-single-kid-can-read.png 1449w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Illinois-schools-where-not-a-single-kid-can-read-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Illinois-schools-where-not-a-single-kid-can-read-1024x519.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Illinois-schools-where-not-a-single-kid-can-read-768x389.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Illinois-schools-where-not-a-single-kid-can-read-60x30.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px\" \/>It&#8217;s time for an update on Illinois&#8217; educational failures with the state\u2019s 2024 Report Card data available. In 2024, there were 80 Illinois schools where not a single student tested proficient in math and 24 where no student tested proficient in reading. What\u2019s worse, officials in those schools graduated nearly 70% of their students.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/2024-education-fail-not-a-single-child-tested-proficient-in-math-in-80-illinois-schools-for-reading-its-24-schools-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 2024 data: Not a single child tested proficient in math in 80 Illinois schools. For reading, it was 24 schools. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-255555 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/pritzker-and-johnsons-obsession-with-a-racialized-sexualized-politicized-school-curriculum-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tPritzker and Johnson\u2019s obsession with a racialized, sexualized, politicized school curriculum \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tApril 14, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t15 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-255556 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pritzker-Equality-Illinois.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"562\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pritzker-Equality-Illinois.png 1920w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pritzker-Equality-Illinois-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pritzker-Equality-Illinois-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pritzker-Equality-Illinois-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pritzker-Equality-Illinois-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pritzker-Equality-Illinois-60x34.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If only Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson would swap out their passion for DEI and transgenderism in Illinois classrooms with an obsession for literacy and numeracy, Illinois\u2019 school system might dramatically improve its student outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/pritzker-and-johnsons-obsession-with-a-racialized-sexualized-politicized-school-curriculum-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Pritzker and Johnson\u2019s obsession with a racialized, sexualized, politicized school curriculum \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-254977 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/good-news-for-parents-school-choice-is-coming-wirepoints-quickpoint\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s happening in Texas is good news for Illinois parents \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tApril 4, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t10 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-254979 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tx-esa.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"556\" height=\"309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tx-esa.png 1081w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tx-esa-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tx-esa-1024x569.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tx-esa-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tx-esa-60x33.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Plans for Texas to soon adopt a massive school choice program is good news for Illinois parents. Another state joining the nationwide wave of school choice expansion means Illinois increasingly stands out for its lunacy of having killed off its only school choice program in 2023. <\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/good-news-for-parents-school-choice-is-coming-wirepoints-quickpoint\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about What\u2019s happening in Texas is good news for Illinois parents \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-254907 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-chicago-issues category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/new-teacher-contract-ctu-wins-cps-winschicago-taxpayers-lose-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tNew teacher contract: CTU wins, CPS wins\u2026Chicago taxpayers lose \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tApril 3, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t17 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-256017 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-average-Chicago-Public-Schools-teacher-salary-could-rise-to-130000-under-the-proposed-new-contract.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-average-Chicago-Public-Schools-teacher-salary-could-rise-to-130000-under-the-proposed-new-contract.png 1254w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-average-Chicago-Public-Schools-teacher-salary-could-rise-to-130000-under-the-proposed-new-contract-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-average-Chicago-Public-Schools-teacher-salary-could-rise-to-130000-under-the-proposed-new-contract-1024x519.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-average-Chicago-Public-Schools-teacher-salary-could-rise-to-130000-under-the-proposed-new-contract-768x389.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-average-Chicago-Public-Schools-teacher-salary-could-rise-to-130000-under-the-proposed-new-contract-60x30.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/>One of the biggest cons the CTU and CPS continue to pull off is convincing Chicagoans that the two are adversaries. After lots of supposed acrimony, they&#8217;ve just agreed to a preliminary teachers contract. The result is a win-win for them. Meanwhile, Chicagoans get stuck with the bill and the city digs a deeper financial hole for itself.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/new-teacher-contract-ctu-wins-cps-winschicago-taxpayers-lose-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about New teacher contract: CTU wins, CPS wins\u2026Chicago taxpayers lose \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-254496 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-budget-tax category-chicago-issues category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/shutter-roll-back-freeze-three-things-chicago-public-schools-needs-to-do-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tShutter, roll back, freeze. Three things Chicago Public Schools needs to do. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMarch 26, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t3 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Douglass-School.png\" width=\"564\" height=\"285\" \/>Lawmakers won\u2019t pursue the structural reforms needed to fix CPS, so the only real short-term fix is to cut the district\u2019s ballooning costs. Like shuttering the district\u2019s dozens of near-empty schools. Or rolling back the massive increase in non-teacher staff hired during covid. Or holding the line on teacher salaries, which are now among the highest in the country.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/shutter-roll-back-freeze-three-things-chicago-public-schools-needs-to-do-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Shutter, roll back, freeze. Three things Chicago Public Schools needs to do. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-254465 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-pensions category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/an-illinois-school-district-where-just-7-of-kids-are-proficient-in-math-rewards-superintendent-with-480k-salary-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAn Illinois school district, where just 7% of kids are proficient in math, rewards superintendent with $480K salary \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMarch 25, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t20 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-254466 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-top-school-district-superintendents-are-paid-300000-or-more-annually-1024x855.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"567\" height=\"473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-top-school-district-superintendents-are-paid-300000-or-more-annually-1024x855.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-top-school-district-superintendents-are-paid-300000-or-more-annually-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-top-school-district-superintendents-are-paid-300000-or-more-annually-768x641.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-top-school-district-superintendents-are-paid-300000-or-more-annually-60x50.png 60w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-top-school-district-superintendents-are-paid-300000-or-more-annually.png 1060w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px\" \/>The Lansing Journal reports that Dolton School District Superintendent Kevin J. Nohelty is set to receive a salary of $480,000.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/an-illinois-school-district-where-just-7-of-kids-are-proficient-in-math-rewards-superintendent-with-480k-salary-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about An Illinois school district, where just 7% of kids are proficient in math, rewards superintendent with $480K salary \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-254235 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/homeschooling-and-the-hypocrisy-of-illinois-politicians-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tHomeschooling and the hypocrisy of Illinois politicians \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMarch 21, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t45 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-254238 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Homeschool.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"561\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Homeschool.png 1155w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Homeschool-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Homeschool-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Homeschool-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Homeschool-60x34.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px\" \/>Illinois politicians&#8217; latest attempt to impose their will on homeschooling took one case of parental neglect and twisted it, expanded on it, and turned it into an indictment of homeschooling in general. But if you know anything about Illinois\u2019 public education system, you\u2019ll recognize the rank hypocrisy immediately. Illinois schools are full of truancy, abuse, educational neglect and poor accountability. Yet lawmakers do little to nothing about that.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/homeschooling-and-the-hypocrisy-of-illinois-politicians-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Homeschooling and the hypocrisy of Illinois politicians \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-253619 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-property-taxes category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/one-big-reason-your-illinois-property-taxes-are-so-high-and-why-you-should-get-a-big-refund-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tOne big reason your Illinois property taxes are so high. And why you should get a big refund. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMarch 13, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t46 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-253625 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-taxpayers-would-spend-14.5-B-less-today.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"562\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-taxpayers-would-spend-14.5-B-less-today.png 872w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-taxpayers-would-spend-14.5-B-less-today-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-taxpayers-would-spend-14.5-B-less-today-160x160.png 160w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-taxpayers-would-spend-14.5-B-less-today-768x769.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-taxpayers-would-spend-14.5-B-less-today-60x60.png 60w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Illinois-taxpayers-would-spend-14.5-B-less-today-480x480.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px\" \/>Too many Illinoisans have yet to connect the dots between their outrageous property taxes and the huge amount of money politicians keep pouring into K-12 education. In 2000, the state was spending $16.2 billion overall. If that had grown at the pace of inflation, today the total would be $29.5 billion. But the real number is far higher: $43.9 billion.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/one-big-reason-your-illinois-property-taxes-are-so-high-and-why-you-should-get-a-big-refund-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about One big reason your Illinois property taxes are so high. And why you should get a big refund. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-253480 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/a-sample-of-trans-genderism-taught-in-illinois-4th-grade-classrooms-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tA sample of trans-genderism taught in Illinois 4th-grade classrooms \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMarch 10, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t34 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/It-feels-good-to-be-yourself.png\" width=\"560\" height=\"444\" \/><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Take a good look at the book recently read by a teacher to her 4th-grade students at my neighborhood public school in Wilmette. You\u2019ll quickly understand why DEI, and trans-activism in particular, have become so objectionable and divisive and why the backlash at the national level to remove such content from our schools has become so powerful.<\/span><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/a-sample-of-trans-genderism-taught-in-illinois-4th-grade-classrooms-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about A sample of trans-genderism taught in Illinois 4th-grade classrooms \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-253493 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-mediahits category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/the-education-results-in-decatur-and-cities-across-illinois-are-beyond-dismal-we-must-make-it-politically-toxic-to-defend-those-outcomes-wirepoints-on-with-jeff-daly-of-wzus-decatur-radio\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe education results in Decatur and cities across Illinois are beyond dismal. We must make it politically toxic to defend those outcomes. \u2013 Wirepoints on with Jeff Daly of WZUS Decatur Radio\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMarch 10, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\tNo Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-250945 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024-NAEP-results-Illinois-4th-grade-reading-proficiency-continues-to-decline.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"562\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024-NAEP-results-Illinois-4th-grade-reading-proficiency-continues-to-decline.png 1093w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024-NAEP-results-Illinois-4th-grade-reading-proficiency-continues-to-decline-300x229.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024-NAEP-results-Illinois-4th-grade-reading-proficiency-continues-to-decline-1024x783.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024-NAEP-results-Illinois-4th-grade-reading-proficiency-continues-to-decline-768x587.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024-NAEP-results-Illinois-4th-grade-reading-proficiency-continues-to-decline-60x46.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px\" \/>Ted joined Jeff Daly for a special can&#8217;t-miss, in-studio interview about the dismal state of education in Decatur and across Illinois, what an Illinois DOGE could and should do for taxpayers, what Illinois&#8217; future looks like unless school choice is implemented, and more.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/the-education-results-in-decatur-and-cities-across-illinois-are-beyond-dismal-we-must-make-it-politically-toxic-to-defend-those-outcomes-wirepoints-on-with-jeff-daly-of-wzus-decatur-radio\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about The education results in Decatur and cities across Illinois are beyond dismal. We must make it politically toxic to defend those outcomes. \u2013 Wirepoints on with Jeff Daly of WZUS Decatur Radio\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-253283 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-chicago-issues category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/one-of-the-first-targets-for-an-illinois-doge-chicagos-20-nearly-empty-failing-schools-heres-the-2025-list-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tOne of the first targets for an Illinois DOGE? Chicago\u2019s 20 nearly-empty, failing schools. Here\u2019s the 2025 list. \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tMarch 6, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t12 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-253288 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/empty-classroom.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"562\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/empty-classroom.png 1021w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/empty-classroom-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/empty-classroom-768x545.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/empty-classroom-60x43.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px\" \/>Ask the CTU for a bit of efficiency, like shuttering the district\u2019s nearly empty, failing schools, and all hell breaks loose. Overall, one-third of schools at CPS are half empty or worse, according to the latest 2025 district space utilization report. Closing many of those schools could save taxpayers hundreds of millions a year and give kids a chance to attend more functional schools.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/one-of-the-first-targets-for-an-illinois-doge-chicagos-20-nearly-empty-failing-schools-heres-the-2025-list-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about One of the first targets for an Illinois DOGE? Chicago\u2019s 20 nearly-empty, failing schools. Here\u2019s the 2025 list. \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-251793 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-chicago-issues category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/one-big-example-of-why-illinois-badly-needs-a-doge-of-its-own-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tOne big example of why Illinois badly needs a DOGE of its own \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tFebruary 11, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t15 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-251791 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Spending-spikes-staffing-grows-at-Chicago-Public-Schools-even-as-enrollment-shrinks-G.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Spending-spikes-staffing-grows-at-Chicago-Public-Schools-even-as-enrollment-shrinks-G.png 850w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Spending-spikes-staffing-grows-at-Chicago-Public-Schools-even-as-enrollment-shrinks-G-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Spending-spikes-staffing-grows-at-Chicago-Public-Schools-even-as-enrollment-shrinks-G-160x160.png 160w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Spending-spikes-staffing-grows-at-Chicago-Public-Schools-even-as-enrollment-shrinks-G-768x767.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Spending-spikes-staffing-grows-at-Chicago-Public-Schools-even-as-enrollment-shrinks-G-60x60.png 60w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Spending-spikes-staffing-grows-at-Chicago-Public-Schools-even-as-enrollment-shrinks-G-480x480.png 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/>If you reflect soberly on Illinois and Chicago\u2019s problems \u2013 corruption, ever-higher taxes, declining services and a shrinking population \u2013 you\u2019ll quickly reach the conclusion Illinois needs a DOGE of its own. If you\u2019re not convinced, take a look at the mess at Chicago Public Schools.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/one-big-example-of-why-illinois-badly-needs-a-doge-of-its-own-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about One big example of why Illinois badly needs a DOGE of its own \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-251498 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/the-next-absurd-bill-from-illinois-legislature-getting-rid-of-test-scores-from-teacher-evaluations-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe next absurd bill from Illinois\u2019 legislature: Removing student test scores from teacher evaluations \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tFebruary 7, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t16 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-251499 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/100-per-of-teachers-are-rated-excellent-or-proficient-in-20-of-Illinois-worst-performing-school-districts.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"996\" height=\"1208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/100-per-of-teachers-are-rated-excellent-or-proficient-in-20-of-Illinois-worst-performing-school-districts.png 996w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/100-per-of-teachers-are-rated-excellent-or-proficient-in-20-of-Illinois-worst-performing-school-districts-247x300.png 247w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/100-per-of-teachers-are-rated-excellent-or-proficient-in-20-of-Illinois-worst-performing-school-districts-844x1024.png 844w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/100-per-of-teachers-are-rated-excellent-or-proficient-in-20-of-Illinois-worst-performing-school-districts-768x931.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/100-per-of-teachers-are-rated-excellent-or-proficient-in-20-of-Illinois-worst-performing-school-districts-60x73.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 996px) 100vw, 996px\" \/>A look at ISBE data shows that the connection between teacher evaluations and student test scores has been bastardized for years. Take 2024. Even though just 39% of students statewide could read at grade level, 97% of all teachers were rated \u201cexcellent or proficient.\u201d Now things are about to get worse.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/the-next-absurd-bill-from-illinois-legislature-getting-rid-of-test-scores-from-teacher-evaluations-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about The next absurd bill from Illinois\u2019 legislature: Removing student test scores from teacher evaluations \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-251205 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-education category-wp-original-stories\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/no-matter-what-pritzker-or-the-tribune-says-illinois-naep-education-results-are-abysmal-wirepoints\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tNo matter what Pritzker or the Tribune says, Illinois\u2019 NAEP education results are abysmal \u2013 Wirepoints\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\tFebruary 3, 2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-avatar\">\n\t\t\t7 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-251223 \" src=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SM-Illinois-NAEP-results-Only-about-a-third-of-Illinois-children-are-proficient-in-reading-and-math.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"557\" height=\"341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SM-Illinois-NAEP-results-Only-about-a-third-of-Illinois-children-are-proficient-in-reading-and-math.png 1061w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SM-Illinois-NAEP-results-Only-about-a-third-of-Illinois-children-are-proficient-in-reading-and-math-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SM-Illinois-NAEP-results-Only-about-a-third-of-Illinois-children-are-proficient-in-reading-and-math-1024x627.png 1024w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SM-Illinois-NAEP-results-Only-about-a-third-of-Illinois-children-are-proficient-in-reading-and-math-768x470.png 768w, https:\/\/eadn-wc01-3158345.nxedge.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SM-Illinois-NAEP-results-Only-about-a-third-of-Illinois-children-are-proficient-in-reading-and-math-60x37.png 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px\" \/>We\u2019ve been asked by many readers for the real truth about Illinois\u2019 reading and math results. Some commenters are trying to square up our recent negative piece on the newest national math and reading scores with what they are seeing elsewhere. The bottom line: Illinois\u2019 education results are abysmal.<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/no-matter-what-pritzker-or-the-tribune-says-illinois-naep-education-results-are-abysmal-wirepoints\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about No matter what Pritzker or the Tribune says, Illinois\u2019 NAEP education results are abysmal \u2013 Wirepoints\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-load-more-spinner\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-spinner\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M304 48c0 26.51-21.49 48-48 48s-48-21.49-48-48 21.49-48 48-48 48 21.49 48 48zm-48 368c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48zm208-208c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48zM96 256c0-26.51-21.49-48-48-48S0 229.49 0 256s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48zm12.922 99.078c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48c0-26.509-21.491-48-48-48zm294.156 0c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48c0-26.509-21.49-48-48-48zM108.922 60.922c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.491-48-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-load-more-anchor\" data-page=\"1\" data-max-page=\"14\" data-next-page=\"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/156332\/page\/2\/\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-load-more-message\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner We\u2019ve been asked by many readers for the real truth about Illinois\u2019 K-12 reading and math results.\u00a0 Some of them are trying to square up our recent negative piece on the newest national math and reading scores with the positive messaging they are seeing elsewhere, like the Chicago Tribune headline that says \u201cIllinois\u2019 eighth graders outperform peers in all but one state in national math and reading test.\u201d Or Gov. Pritzker\u2019s official comments, where he says the 8th-grade scores are \u201ca testament to the great strides Illinois students are making academically.\u201d\u00a0 To help our","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-156332","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-19 09:02:49","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"frm_application","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/156332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156332"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/156332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":226093,"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/156332\/revisions\/226093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wirepoints.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}