COVID StimulusBudget & finance

How should Illinois spend its share of another $5.1 billion in federal stimulus funding for schools? Tell us.

By 
Caroline Bauman
and
Cassie Walker Burke
 | March 18, 2021, 3:15pm UTC
Mayor Lori Lightfoot gestures as public officials tour classrooms at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy on March 1. Chicago Public Schools expects to receive nearly $1.8 billion from the new round of COVID-19 stimulus funding. What advice would you give Lightfoot and school leaders on how to spend it? (Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago)

Illinois is set to receive more than $5 billion in federal stimulus funding for schools, and most of that will go directly to districts. Chicago, the state’s largest district, will receive about $1.8 billion of that — money leaders have said will go toward mounting costs of reopening campuses and addressing learning disruptions from the pandemic.

Superintendents and school boards will have a lot of flexibility to determine where to direct the money, though the federal government has said they must use at least 20% to address learning gaps. 

How would you like to see your district spend the money? What priorities should superintendents and school boards keep in mind? Tell us in the survey below. 

If you are having trouble viewing this form on mobile, go here.

The Latest
Officials order closure of Colorado’s ‘first public Christian school’ building for safety reasons

If school officials don’t acknowledge the closure order by Monday evening, Pueblo County officials said they will seek an emergency injunction from the courts.

By 
Ann Schimke
 | January 10
As another budget shortfall looms, Colorado lawmakers aim to preserve education funding

Five state lawmakers joined Chalkbeat Colorado for our 2026 Legislative Preview to discuss education topics likely to surface during the session. Here’s what they said.

By 
Jason Gonzales
 | January 9
Sheffield takes questions from Detroit students about safety, transportation

Pershing High School was Sheffield’s first stop after her public swearing-in ceremony on Friday.

By 
Hannah Dellinger
 | January 9
Education bill tracker: What did Indiana lawmakers file for 2026?

Indiana legislators’ newest bills focus on education deregulation, processed food, teacher licensing, and creating a new board to oversee Indianapolis schools.

By 
Aleksandra Appleton
 | December 8, 2025
Many NYC schools lack libraries and librarians. Find out what’s happening at your school.

Most New York City schools don’t have a librarian. Find out if yours does and why advocates say more schools need librarians.

By 
Jessica Shuran Yu
 | January 9
St. Isidore’s unanswered questions: Advocates prepare for Round 2 on religious charter schools

Schools in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Colorado are teeing up new test cases after the Supreme Court deadlocked last year on whether charter schools can be religious.

By 
Erica Meltzer
 | January 9