Regional school supers show power and paradox in Illinois
Gordon Britton outlines how 78 regional superintendents in Illinois oversee 33 000 pupils each year, with salaries up to 33 000 and state funding over 4.1 million. Some run programs like hearing and vision services for 14 counties, others focus on regulation, while a push for clearer authority debates between elected regions and the appointed state office. The history traces to 1975 reductions and evolving control amid a broader education landscape.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gordon Britton
Illinois Office of Education
Brown
Macon County
O’malley
St. Clair County
Office of Education
Don Norwood
State Office
Norwood
Illinois
Richard Ogilvie
Nelson Ashline
Debate Over Regional Superintendents Sparks Tie to Appointive System
Regional and state officials debate whether to shift to appointive regional superintendents as consolidation coverage grows. A University of Maryland paper proposed cuts to 25 30 officials, drawing sharp opposition. Officials say survival hinges on expanding service offerings, not cutting staff.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Stephens
University of Maryland
Stephens
Maryland
Ashline
Briggs
Madison County
Byron Wise
Champaign County
Ford County
O’malley
Office of Education
Joseph Cronin
Should superintendents be elected or appointed
The regional superintendent role in Illinois sparks a debate on electing versus appointing. Byron Wise lost to Merrimac in a costly primary, highlighting how elections shape school governance. Supporters say elections ensure taxpayer accountability and independence from boards, while opponents warn of cost and political influence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Byron Wise
Wise
Champaign County
Ford County
George Merrimac
Merrimac
Office of Education
Illinois
Monroe Deming
Jackson County
State backs rail lines with subsidies in Illinois
Rail workers describe a revived spirit on the Decatur to Paris line run by the Wabash Valley Railroad. State funds from the Illinois Freight Program subsidize losses and spur service improvements as Conrail planned abandonment. The program also covers Paris to Lawrenceville and Kankakee to Sheldon, aiming to keep lines viable until private operators take over.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
David S. Awbrey
Lindsay-Schaub
John Goodbrake
Decatur
Paris
Goodbrake
Wabash Valley Railroad
Penn Central
Conrail
Wabash Valley
Decatur-to
Decatur To
C. Reeder Miller
Staley
Danville-to
Cairo
Illinois
Interstate Commerce Commission
Timothy Morgan
Congress
ICC
Morgan
Also Mentioned on This Page
Hancock
Adams
Warren
JO Daviess
Knox
Jersey
Stephenson
Madison
Washington
Franklin
Wayne
Champaign
Lmberland
Jasper
Kankakee
Clark
Deming
Martha O’malley
Cronin
David Awbrey
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!