- School Daze 2. Chicago School Board delays action on a plan to open four new charter schools. Trib reports that newly-appointed interim schools chief Terry Mazany wants more time to study the costs and benefits of the charters.
- School Daze 3. Daily Herald reports that an IL House committee appointed by Speaker Michael Madigan begins hearings today on school reform measures, including a ban on teacher strikes and changes in tenure and seniority rules. Sun-Times editorial warns against a rush to judgement that punishes teachers unfairly for failing schools.
- Perils of patronage. Illegal patronage hirings, firings, promotions and snubs at the Cook County Forest Preserve District will cost taxpayers more than half a million dollars. Sun-Times reports on the federally-imposed settlement of more than a hundred cases where politics trumped performance or merit.
- Airport angst. Editorial in Southtown Star pleads with state officials to get the long-stalled Peotone airport project ready for take-off or ground it permanently because south suburban residents and businesses are tired of the uncertainty.
- Disaster dollars. ABC 7’s I-Team reports that millions of federal disaster relief dollars meant to repair the damage from Hurricane Ike’s rampage two years ago are being spent by state officials on projects totally unrelated to the hurricane aftermath.
