Becky Vevea

Lori Lightfoot, who won a landslide victory in Chicago's runoff election, was sworn in as mayor on Monday.

In Historic First, Lori Lightfoot Inaugurated As Chicago's Mayor

Lightfoot is the city's first black female and openly gay mayor. After her swearing in, she laid out a plan to make Chicago "a city that families want to move to, not run away from."

National headlines

Why America's Schools Have A Money Problem

Cory Turner, Reema Khrais, Tim Lloyd, Alexandra Olgin, Laura Isensee, Becky Vevea, Dan Carsen

How much money a school can spend on its students still depends, in large part, on local property taxes. And many states aren't doing much to level the field for poor kids.

NPR Headlines

Why America's Schools Have A Money Problem

Cory Turner, Reema Khrais, Tim Lloyd, Alexandra Olgin, Laura Isensee, Becky Vevea, Dan Carsen

How much money a school can spend on its students still depends, in large part, on local property taxes. And many states aren't doing much to level the field for poor kids.

National headlines

Power Struggle Over Future Of Public Schools Heats Up In Chicago

Becky Vevea

The politics surrounding the future of Chicago's public school system are intensifying. Three different players are in a power struggle for control of the system, which is suffering financially.

NPR Headlines

Former Chicago Schools Chief To Plead Guilty In $2.3 Million Kickback Scheme

Becky Vevea

Barbara Byrd-Bennett is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. She is accused of taking $2.3 million in kickbacks for steering no-bid contracts worth $23 million to a former employer.

National headlines

Admitting Dropouts Were Miscounted, Chicago Lowers Graduation Rates

Becky Vevea

The school district revised its numbers down 2 to 3 percentage points for every year dating back to 2011.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel focused on disadvantaged youth in Chicago in his inaugural speech after being sworn in to a second term as mayor.

NPR Headlines

Graduation Rates: Chicago Says It Will Keep Better Track of At-Risk Students

Becky Vevea

Chicago Public Schools have been mislabeling dropouts, getting them off the books and out of the graduation rate. CPS now says it will stop the practice.