Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case

Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed an appellate court’s ruling in a case involving state requirements of public school districts when transporting students to and from a nonpublic school.

Parents of students at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis filed suit in 2022 after School District 189 stopped providing bus service to Bowman students, citing a shortage of bus drivers.

The supreme court ruled that the district’s transportation obligation was limited to points along its regular bus routes.

HONDURAN MAN SENTENCED AFTER SEVEN DEPORTATIONS

A Honduran national has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported seven times.

Federal prosecutors say Chicago police arrested Jefry Estrada Pastrana, 37, after he failed to appear in court for a Cook County case involving alleged theft and forgery.

Estrada Pastrana pleaded guilty to unlawful re-entry in April and is subject to removal from the U.S.

CHICAGO MAYOR ESTABLISHES GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION OFFICE

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order establishing the new Office of Gun Violence Reduction.

The agency to be led by the deputy mayor for community safety will be tasked with coordinating violence prevention efforts, victim services and community safety investments.

The Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, executive director at Live Free Illinois, told The Center Square the new department would be funded by Chicago taxpayers.

STATE HEALTH DEPT. ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL CHILDHOOD LEAD TESTING

The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that universal childhood blood lead testing will take effect Wednesday.

Previously, state lead testing requirements applied to children living in high-risk zip codes. Under the new standard, all Illinois children are to be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Legislative committees advance CA redistricting legislation

Legislative committees advance CA redistricting legislation

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Legislators, taxpayers and others debated passionately Tuesday for several hours as Democratic-led election committees in the California Assembly and Senate advanced congressional redistricting legislation. The...
California schools protect students from ICE agents

California schools protect students from ICE agents

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California schools are providing resources for students if immigration officials visit their campus. As students get ready to go back to school, Southern California schools...
White House touts D.C. crackdown; no timeline on National Guard deployment

White House touts D.C. crackdown; no timeline on National Guard deployment

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a week after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” in Washington, D.C., his administration is touting the operation as a success as more...
Security clearances of 37 former, current intel professionals revoked

Security clearances of 37 former, current intel professionals revoked

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The security clearances of 37 former and current intelligence professionals have been revoked, citing abuse of intelligence information, the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard...
USDA reverses use of taxpayer dollars to fund solar panels on farmland

USDA reverses use of taxpayer dollars to fund solar panels on farmland

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Agriculture will no longer subsidize large-scale solar projects placed on farmland or use solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries in any...
Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan

Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, who represents the 15th Congressional district in southeastern Illinois, is reintroducing legislation...
Major U.S. retailer reverses course on tariffs, says prices will go up

Major U.S. retailer reverses course on tariffs, says prices will go up

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A major U.S. retailer that previously said tariffs wouldn't increase prices reversed course on Tuesday, with officials saying they expect "modest" price increases for some...
Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax

Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax Arlington Heights village trustees have approved a one-percent tax on groceries. Since Gov. J.B. Pritzker...
Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...
Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economic issues are front and center for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois. Former Illinois GOP Chairman...
Exec Cmte 8.14.25.4

Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds

Article Summary: Will County has expended 61% of its $134 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with significant investments made in infrastructure, health, and economic development. Officials...
Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois student leaders serving on state higher education boards will now receive $500-per-semester scholarships under a...
Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion A new round of construction has begun at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Airline...
Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Energy prices and clean energy policy took center stage during a senate energy and public utilities...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs crypto regulations Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed two laws to regulate cryptocurrency. Senate Bill 1797 requires cryptocurrency companies to...