Unit 5

A powerful teachers' union and Illinois law put up many barriers to firing tenured teachers, even ones with documented patterns of alleged misconduct.

Unit 5 said it does not know the purpose of a FOIA request from the state's attorney's office for its emails, text messages and public records requests between WGLT and the district. It came after WGLT asked about the state's attorney's information sharing with Unit 5.

A review of dozens of emails and other documents revealed siloed information sharing which kept Unit 5 from knowing what law enforcement and child welfare officials knew about its employees, even when it involved students in their care.

The current law requires students take at least two years of foreign language classes but that could change if the governor signs a bill the Illinois legislature unanimously passed.

The Unit 5 school board heard updates to its enrollment adjustments and changes for driver's education programming during Tuesday’s meeting.

Appearing in McLean County court on Thursday afternoon, Andrew "Drew" Miller, 40, of Normal, waived his right to a speedy determination about whether he’ll be detained awaiting trial on 42 felony counts.

Police spokesperson Bryce Janssen said a warrant was issued for Andrew “Drew” Miller, 40, of Normal following a grand jury indictment on Wednesday morning. Officers from the department’s street crimes unit pulled Miller over at a traffic stop at Hamilton Road and Bunn Street. He was taken into custody at 1:12 p.m.

Buying in bulk has saved countywide governments and school districts money as prices rose across the country.

Prosecutors said Thursday that “additional individuals have come forward” in the case against a Unit 5 junior high teacher accused of grooming at least one child.

The school district requested a change of venue to a federal court in Peoria. Angela Sutton claims administrators repeatedly ignored concerns about her transgender child being bullied at school.