(SPRINGFIELD) It was late last week that the Illinois House approved a bill banning students from using their cell phones during the school day. Senate Bill 2427 passed after a floor amendment was added with 102 in-favor votes and only three opposed. The measure now goes back to the State Senate for concurrence and likely a final vote before heading to the Governor.
(SPRINGFIELD) The U.S. Small Business Administration has been asked by an upstate lawmaker to launch an economic impact assessment of Operation Midway Blitz. A letter to the SBA says the deployment of federal immigration law enforcement has driven a year-over-year revenue decline of 20% to 50% for many local enterprises, leading to reduced state and local tax revenues. Those in favor of immigration law enforcement however say the request is bogus.
(CHICAGO) The Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools leaders have agreed to transform the school day on May 1st to one focused on civic engagement, student voice, and standing up to the White House. While the CPS has agreed to provide buses for students and teachers to attend a rally at Union Park, the school system has committed to having teacher-directed development days on future days in May. The CPS has widely been criticized for making May 1st a day of protest and politics, instead of a learning day in school classrooms.