Becky Vevea
Chalkbeat
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Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Becky:
Were you impacted by Chicago’s 2013 school closures? Tell us your story.
Did you attend or work at one of the 50 schools Chicago closed in 2013? We want to hear from students, staff, and others impacted by the mass school closures. Tell us your story. → Read More
Chicago mayoral election 2023: How Johnson, Vallas answered 10 important education questions
Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas, the candidates headed for a runoff to be Chicago’s next mayor, have deep ties to public education. Here’s how they answered 10 education questions. → Read More
Chicago mayoral election results: More than 100,000 mail-in ballots remain outstanding
More than 100,000 mail-in ballots had not yet arrived to be counted, election officials said Tuesday. The Chicago Board of Elections has until March 14 to count all the ballots. → Read More
Lori Lightfoot could be the last mayor to control Chicago Public Schools. How has she done?
Whoever wins Chicago’s 2023 mayor’s race will be the last with mayoral control over Chicago Public Schools. The last four years under Mayor Lori Lightfoot saw tense labor relations, pandemic shutdowns and learning loss, but an increase in spending on school building repairs. → Read More
If elected Chicago mayor, Paul Vallas promises to open schools on nights and weekends, expand choice
Paul Vallas is promising to expand school choice, bring alternative schools to underenrolled high schools, keep schools open on nights and weekends, and elect school board members who agree with him. → Read More
Where do the candidates for Chicago mayor stand on education? We asked them 10 questions.
The next mayor will be the last to have direct control over Chicago Public Schools. We asked the candidates 10 questions – including some from our readers – to better understand what direction they might take the city’s schools. Here’s what they said. → Read More
Lightfoot campaign facing scrutiny for emailing teachers to recruit student volunteers
The Chicago Teachers Union said Lori Lightfoot’s deputy campaign manager emailed some teachers asking them to offer students an opportunity to work on the mayor’s reelection bid. → Read More
Nine people are running for Chicago mayor. Here’s a look at their education records.
The candidates running for Chicago mayor have various ties to education and youth. Here’s a look at what they’ve done so far and how you can find out more. → Read More
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker promises free college, preschool for all in second term
In his second term inauguration speech, the governor promised to make Illinois a national leader in making college tuition free for working class families and expanding preschool to all families. → Read More
Chicago Public Schools’ watchdog flags unchecked overtime pay, lost students, sexual misconduct
In 2022, the district’s watchdog found dozens of instances of sexual misconduct and abuse, schools mislabeling truants as transfers, a surge in overtime payments, and an end to automatic JROTC assignments. → Read More
School closures, COVID spending, gun violence: 12 of Chalkbeat Chicago’s top stories of 2022
It’s been a tumultuous year for public schools in Chicago and Illinois. But there has also been joy and resilience. Here are a dozen of Chalkbeat Chicago’s top stories of 2022. → Read More
As COVID cases rise, Chicago students encouraged to get vaccinated, wear masks over break
With cases of COVID-19, flu, and other respiratory viruses on the rise, Chicago’s top doctor and schools chief are encouraging students to get vaccinated, wear masks, and take at-home tests before holiday parties. → Read More
Here’s how to help Chicago students after shooting outside Juarez High School
After Friday’s shooting outside Benito Juarez Community Academy High School left two teens dead and two injured, what resources are available to Chicago students? Chalkbeat compiled a list. → Read More
New tool allows people to see how much federal COVID money Illinois schools have spent
A new data dashboard launched by the Illinois State Board of Education shows how much federal COVID money school districts have spent. People can also get a sense of where the money was spent. → Read More
Chicago Public Schools’ application deadline is next week. Here’s what you need to know.
GoCPS applications for next school year are due Friday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. Students can apply for magnet, gifted, selective enrollment, charter, and neighborhood schools. → Read More
Fate of Urban Prep’s third campus in the hands of Illinois Board of Education
The lauded charter school has been embroiled in scandal following an inspector general investigation that outlined allegations of financial mismanagement and of sexual misconduct by its founder. → Read More
MacKenzie Scott donates nearly $50 million to public schools in Chicago
The billionaire who pledged to give away her fortune has donated $25 million to Chicago Public Schools, $16 million to the Noble Network of Charter Schools, and $7 million to the LEARN Charter School Network. → Read More
More Chicago City Colleges students to get mentoring, ‘wraparound’ support
The nonprofit One Million Degrees provides low-income community college students with mentoring, tutoring, an annual stipend, and professional development to help them finish their degrees and have a career. → Read More
Push to get Chicago Public Schools officials to appear regularly at City Council fails
The measure would have temporarily withheld city money for school projects if Chicago Public Schools officials failed to show up. That prompted several aldermen to vote no. → Read More
Illinois Gov. Pritzker wins reelection bid, defeating state Sen. Darren Bailey
Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker has promised to increase education funding, boost pay for early childhood teachers, and make college more accessible in his second term. → Read More