Court hearings for Chicago groups' lawsuits against U.S. DOE over funding cuts
Two separate court hearings was held Wednesday to try to stop the sudden loss of $60 million in funding for Illinois after-school programs.
Watch CBS News
Two separate court hearings was held Wednesday to try to stop the sudden loss of $60 million in funding for Illinois after-school programs.
Education advocates in Chicago filed two lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Education this week, arguing that students returning from Christmas vacation will be left without crucial resources such as after-school programs.
A complaint earlier this year claimed CPS was using the Black Students Success program to discriminate on the basis of race.
The Reeds are concerned that with the Chicago office of a unit within the U.S. Department of Education having closed, an incident involving their special-needs son will not get the attention it needs.
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to pause a lower court order that required the Department of Education to reinstate nearly 1,400 employees.
The states lost out on billions in funding for after-school and summer programs, teacher training and other initiatives.
The complaint claims the CPS is using the program to discriminate on the basis of race.
The lawsuit against the Trump administration says the Education Department's halt of promised aid for schools will force cuts to vital services.
Federal funding at the school district supports college and career readiness and vocational programs that students say are invaluable.
The college and university leaders pleaded with lawmakers to fight the Trump administration's threats to federal funding — such as grants that help students pay for college.
President Trump has taken aim at the Department of Education, but shutting down the department entirely would require an act of Congress.
Office of Civil Rights employees said this means students with open cases will have their claims backlogged even further.
The Trump administration has made it clear their goal is to dismantle the Department of Education entirely, and that is causing a lot of concern and fear among educators in Illinois.
Concern about the funds is growing now that staffing at the agency has been cut by nearly 50% — from 4,133 to 2,183.
The Department of Education doesn't oversee school curriculums, but it does offer a range of services affecting millions of Americans.
The Department of Education said staff affected by the job cuts would be placed on leave starting Friday, March 21.
Getting rid of the Education Department has long been a goal for Republicans, but the president can't unilaterally dissolve a department set up by Congress.
Some Illinois Democrats have invited fired federal workers to President Trump's speech to protest the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to the federal government.
Linda McMahon, President Trump's nominee to become secretary of education, appeared before senators on Thursday.
The complaint alleges "a pattern of discrimination that has caused an increasingly hostile environment at UChicago for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students and students associated with them."
A spokesperson said Northwestern would respond to the department and cooperate with the investigation.
Some families seeking financial aid for their children are still hitting roadblocks.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced it is investigating several schools and universities across the country.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced it is investigating several schools and universities across the country.
At least 100 children in grades 1 through 5 were arrested in school during the 2020-2021 school year, according to CBS News analysis of newly-released federal data.
Two teens stood charged Wednesday with carjacking a man at gunpoint in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood this week, and one of them was also charged in two different robberies at CTA Red Line stops last year.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is announcing expanded hours for people to get a Real ID, ahead of a Feb. 1 deadline when the TSA will start charging travelers a $45 fee for travelers who don't have one.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) on Wednesday formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning with leaders within the Chicago Police Department and violence prevention partners.
Just as a trial was set to begin this week in Chicago, Boeing agreed to a settlement with a Canadian man who lost six family members in a 737 Max 8 plane crash in Ethiopia in 2019.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) on Wednesday formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning with leaders within the Chicago Police Department and violence prevention partners.
It has been months since the Chicago City Council approved a plan to update the way a roughly two-mile stretch of Broadway in the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods is zoned.
Rick Garcia, a longtime Chicago LGBTQ+ activist and community leader who was at the forefront of many civil rights victories, died this week.
Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the committee's chairman, said the panel will move next week on holding them in contempt.
Police in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva are warning of a scam involving spoofed phone numbers.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
January is Radon Action Month, and the Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon.
Severe flu season is sending many people to hospital emergency rooms across the country, including in the Chicago area.
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
The first pediatric flu death for this year's flu season has been reported, Illinois health officials said, as flu cases across the state continue to rise.
Does the Chicago Bears' dramatic improvement this season, culminating in their first playoff run in five years, change the discussion about where they will build a new stadium?
The Piggery, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar in the northwest corner of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, announced Thursday that it is going out of business.
The Lincolnwood Town Center mall in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been sold to a developer, the village announced Wednesday.
They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but a longtime Chicago fried chicken institution said imitation went too far after a new business opened with a very similar name.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at the age of 68, his first ex-wife revealed on Tuesday.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon has the extended forecast.
2025 was the third hottest year on record for the planet, and now, a new report about the world’s warming temperatures says it could be serious for the years ahead.
President Trump has issued another strong warning to Iran, as the regime threatens capital punishment for people arrested during anti-government protest. Natalie Brand reports.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is announcing expanded hours for people to get a REAL ID, ahead of a Feb. 1 deadline when the TSA will start charging travelers a $45 fee if they haven’t upgraded to a REAL ID.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning with leaders within the Chicago Police Department and violence prevention partners. Asal Rezaei reports.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) on Wednesday formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
Chicago weather Wednesday morning took a sudden turn for the worst, and a Snow Squall Warning was issued. But what is a snow squall?
Two teens stood charged Wednesday with carjacking a man at gunpoint in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood this week, and one of them was also charged in two different robberies at CTA Red Line stops last year.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is announcing expanded hours for people to get a Real ID, ahead of a Feb. 1 deadline when the TSA will start charging travelers a $45 fee for travelers who don't have one.
Lead-based paint was banned for serious health reasons in 1978, but most homes built before then remain covered in it.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Steve Buzil with SitClose Tickets was outside Soldier Field doing another media interview about ticket sales on Sunday when he came across Ruth and Mikey.
Ramova Theater in Bridgeport is setting up for a Bears vs. Rams watch party for thousands of fans Sunday.
The Chicago Bears are on a hot streak, which means fans looking for tickets to Sunday's playoffs game are a target for scammers and fraudsters.
Sports experts said there may be some advantages they have on their side to keep the playoff winning streak going.
Johnson made it clear that he didn't like the Packers in a locker room video following their Wild Card win.
Two teens stood charged Wednesday with carjacking a man at gunpoint in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood this week, and one of them was also charged in two different robberies at CTA Red Line stops last year.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning with leaders within the Chicago Police Department and violence prevention partners.
A man was left in critical condition Tuesday morning after he was shot while driving in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood and went on to crash his car.
Adam Beckerink, the man charged with murder in the death of his estranged wife, Caitlin Tracey, must return to court later this week for a detention hearing after being extradited to Chicago.
A man has been charged with stabbing a CTA passenger to death while the victim was sleeping on a Blue Line train over the weekend in the Loop.
