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Hello! It’s Becky Vevea. Happy first day of summer!

My kids are still coming off the thrill of bounce houses, cotton candy, face paint, and snow cones on the school playground yesterday and I’m just grateful I made it through my first full week back from maternity leave.

There are not one, not two, but three top stories today. The first is a look at which 28 candidates for school board are at risk of being booted off the ballot. The second is a surprise announcement from the school district that next fall 8th graders will take the PreACT 9 for high school admissions, instead of the current HSAT. And finally, a closer look at how public education fared in Illinois’ new $56 billion state budget.

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Local News

Here’s how much education funding is in Illinois’ FY27 state budget

State money for education impacts numerous student programs, including early childhood, after-school activities, mental health support, and college scholarships.

CPS eighth graders will take a new, longer high school admissions test

CPS is replacing its current High School Admissions Test with a PreACT exam, saying the exam will provide more useful information for families and teachers.

Dozens of Chicago school board candidates could get knocked off the ballot

Four of the five people hoping to be the first elected Chicago Board of Education president could get muscled off the ballot. All nine of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s appointees have also had their petitions challenged.