Why does one crowded CPS school look forward to a multimillion-dollar annex while another, just a few blocks away, fears closure for under-enrollment? WBEZ education reporter Becky Vevea fills us in on a troubling trend.

Lawmakers and the governor strike a six-month budget deal. Schools get funding to open in the fall. The Bears lose a legend, and the Cubs' Kris Bryant makes history. Joel Weisman and guests discuss these stories and more.

A day of special session for the Illinois House and Senate ended with no significant action on a budget agreement. Amanda Vinicky shares details of what’s been happening behind the scenes.

The state of Illinois is a mere days away from passing the one-year mark without a state budget in place. Could there be a deal reached during a special session scheduled for Wednesday?

Gov. Bruce Rauner doubles down on his calls for Chicago Public Schools to declare bankruptcy. But how would it work, and could it actually make CPS finances worse?

Students are the focus of a new mural at a CPS school that has a nationally recognized art collection. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the contemporary work.

The dreary weather Wednesday morning didn't keep scores of Chicago Teachers Union members from taking to the streets and calling on the city and the school district to enact measures to stabilize the district's funding.

The first full day of summer also marks the last day of the school year for Chicago Public School students. How stormy will their summers be as the district tries to weather its financial crisis?

In light of the elevated lead levels found at Chicago Public Schools, we ask local experts what high lead levels mean for your health.

Gov. Bruce Rauner renews talk of possible bankruptcy for Chicago Public Schools. How would it work? That and more in a rare one-on-one interview with the governor.

It may not be quite an "exodus" of CPS principals, but more of them are leaving. Why the district is concerned it could get worse.

Despite darkening storm clouds that have been looming over Chicago Public Schools’ finances, two reports released this week show some rays of sunshine for student academics.

Amid concerns that the summer months will see an escalation of violence in the city, some students at Chicago Public Schools will take a pledge on Thursday to promote peace during the summer break.

“Illinois must meet its primary function” of funding education, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said during an interview with Paris Schutz. Hear the full conversation.

The former governor joins Carol Marin on “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the budget impasse, whether or not schools will open and if Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan can find a solution.

The day after Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool warned that schools may not open in September, the Chicago Teachers Union weighed in, calling Claypool's leadership a failure. We hear arguments from both sides.