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
Denver to contract with outside company to provide in-house substitutes for high-needs schools

The Denver school board approved a two-year, $3.5 million contract with TeachStart to provide year-long substitute teachers for certain schools.

By 
Melanie Asmar
 | December 20
Chicago is expanding its Sustainable Community Schools. They haven’t yet boosted student outcomes.

A Chalkbeat analysis suggests that the district’s joint initiative with its teachers union hasn’t yet given its 20 pilot schools an edge over other high-poverty campuses when it comes to academics and school climate.

By 
Mila Koumpilova
 | December 19
Chicago’s Sustainable Community Schools initiative has a history of unspent money and turnover

A Chalkbeat analysis found that staff turnover, unspent dollars, and community partner tensions have been key challenges for the 7-year-old program.

By 
Mila Koumpilova
 | December 19
Detroit school district facing millions in state fines for low daily attendance last year

Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says the law punishes districts for system inequities that contribute to chronic absenteeism.

By 
Hannah Dellinger
 | December 19
How Indy’s fractured school system led to a plan for unified control of public schools

State lawmakers will consider creating a new agency to oversee IPS schools and charters. Here’s a look at the history and powerful advocates behind that push for unified control over city schools.

By 
Amelia Pak-Harvey
 | December 19
Tennessee county mayors urge Gov. Lee to accept federal aid for low-income students

The majority of low-income Tennessee students did not receive help paying for summer meals in 2025 for the first time in years. Now, local officials want the state to bring back federal aid for 2026.

By 
Melissa Brown
 | December 19