Sarah Macaraeg

Supporters gather around Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson following his announcement of a mayoral run on Oct. 27, 2022.

Chicago Teachers Union’s big spending on Brandon Johnson for mayor draws criticism over union influence and pushback among some members

February 20, 2023 at 9:59 a.m.

The Chicago Teachers Union is all in on Brandon Johnson for mayor. So far, CTU has given the Cook County commissioner nearly $1 million in his bid to unseat Mayor...

U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders bumps elbows with kindergartener Aleyna Contreras at Oakhill Elementary School in Streamwood on May 6, 2021.

Tony Sanders of District U-46 named new state superintendent of education

January 31, 2023 at 5:55 p.m.

The Illinois State Board of Education announced Tuesday that Tony Sanders, superintendent of Elgin School District U-46, was named the new state superintendent of education. Carmen Ayala — the first...

Dual-language preschoolers at Belmont-Cragin Elementary and Early Childhood Center in Chicago, where a ribbon-cutting was held Jan. 17.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has vowed to bring preschool to every Illinois child. But big hurdles remain for that to happen.

January 30, 2023 at 12:33 p.m.

In his second inaugural address this month, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised to "make preschool available to every family throughout the state" — a feat that will require solutions to...

CTU members and aldermen hold a news conference at City Hall on Jan. 18 calling for Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Board of Education to extend paid parental leave to CPS employees, as it has with city workers.

CTU brings demand for ‘equitable’ parental leave to Chicago Board of Education: ‘We deserve that’

January 25, 2023 at 6:04 p.m.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates opened public comments at the first Board of Education meeting of the year Wednesday, asking for support for teachers and staff on a...

Mayor Lori Lightfoot leaves after discussing the campaign recruitment emails Thursday.

Mayor Lightfoot says campaign recruitment emails to CPS teachers ‘should not have happened’ after watchdog launches investigation

January 12, 2023 at 7:21 p.m.

Controversy escalated Thursday surrounding recruitment emails sent by Mayor Lori Lightfoot's campaign seeking Chicago Public Schools students to work on her reelection campaign, with the schools' top watchdog launching an...

With his family looking on, Democratic Illinois Secretary of State candidate Alexi Giannoulias addresses his supporters as he claims victory at the Sheraton Grand Chicago on election night, Nov. 8, 2022.

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias claims victory over Republican Dan Brady in Illinois secretary of state race

November 9, 2022 at 5:47 a.m.

For the first time in nearly two dozen years, Illinois residents — and Illinois drivers, perhaps most significantly — elected a new secretary of state Tuesday. With 57% of precincts...

Eddie Mason, 80, left, fist bumps Mark Collins, 59, center, and FairVote Illinois volunteer Larry Garfield on Oct. 29, 2022, in Evanston. Volunteers were knocking on doors to discuss ranked choice voting with residents.

Evanston voters to decide on whether city should shift to ranked choice voting, which supporters say could reduce political polarization

November 6, 2022 at 8:45 a.m.

When Evanston resident Howard Sachs headed to the polls to cast his early vote on whether the suburb should become the first city in Illinois to adopt ranked choice voting,...

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