Advocates Request Major Boost to Illinois School Funding
Illinois education advocates are asking lawmakers for roughly 747-million dollars in new K-12 funding next year, far more than the state is expected to have as agencies prepare for possible budget cuts. The requests include continuing the 350-million-dollar annual increase for the Evidence-Based Funding formula and adding 100-million dollars for mandated programs like special education and transportation. Other proposals seek more support for literacy efforts, multilingual students, and early childhood programs. The Illinois State Board of Education will finalize its budget request in January.
Illinois Health Officials Push Back on CDC Autism Language Change
Illinois health leaders pushed back after a CDC website update suggested the claim that vaccines don’t cause autism “is not an evidence-based statement.” State Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said extensive research shows no link between vaccines and autism and warned the federal wording could fuel confusion and mistrust. He stressed that Illinois will continue following established science, calling vaccines safe, effective, and essential for preventing serious illnesses. Vohra also urged families to rely on IDPH resources or their doctors for accurate vaccine information.
Texas National Guard Leaving Illinois After Disputed Deployment
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says the National Guard troops he sent to Illinois last month will return home before Thanksgiving, ending a deployment Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned as an “invasion.” The troops were sent to support federal immigration agents during protests over ICE raids, but a federal court ruled they could not be activated in Illinois, limiting them to securing their base while the case heads to the U.S. Supreme Court.