Politics & Government

High School Students May Need Four Years of Math to Graduate

Here is a roundup of some of the latest political news.

A bill that would require high school students to take four years of mathematics is making its way through the Illinois General Assembly.

Senate Bill 3244 would amend the School Code and require high school students to take four years of math, instead of three, in order to graduate.

If the bill passes, it would be effective starting with freshmen entering the 2012-2013 school year. Illinois lawmakers, quoted by the Illinois Statehouse News, want to see high-schoolers add another year of math, without subtracting from students planning to hit the workforce immediately after graduation.

Find out what's happening in Lislewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lawmakers in Springfield for Final Days Until After Primary

The Associated Press is reporting in the Daily Herald that Illinois lawmakers have returned to the state Capitol for their last week of work before the primary election.

Find out what's happening in Lislewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Issues on the agenda include a proposed tax on strip clubs, hearings on education funding, rules for owning or selling guns and reviews of state audits. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon says she plans to testify in favor of the tax on strip clubs, which would generate money for rape-crisis centers.

Lawmakers will meet through Friday, March 9, and then will be off until after the March 20 primary election.

Just Call Him No. 40892-424

NBC News is reporting that the former governor’s number is now 40892-424. For the next 14 years, that’s how Rod Blagojevich will receive his mail and conduct all business at the Federal Correctional Center in Englewood, CO.

One piece of trivia even the history-savvy Blagojevich may not know, NBC says, is that he is now a member of an exclusive group known as "424s." Those numbers, the last three of his inmate number, are a geographical designator for inmates from the Chicagoland area—including a number of former elected officials.

Blagojevich was convicted over the summer of 17 counts of federal corruption. He was sentenced to 14 years in December by Judge James Zagel. He reports to prison a week from Thursday.

Biggert Endorses Dillard in 24th District Primary Race

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) has endorsed State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) in his 24th Senate District Republican primary race against State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard), is reporting.  

Biggert, who is in the midst of her own Republican primary race in Illinois' 11th Congressional District, lives in Hinsdale and is the chairperson of the Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here