Illinois quick hits: Cook County spends nearly $20 million on food, housing services; Chicago Teachers Union tells teachers, students to skip school; Russell Dickerson to play Du Quoin State Fair

March 12, 2026/

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Cook County spends nearly $20 million on food, housing services

The Cook County Board has announced it will spend $19.9 million on taxpayer-funded food and housing services, including $5.8 million for the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s court-based rental assistance program. County commissioners announced they would direct $10 million to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and $4.1 million to support homeless services.

Chicago Teachers Union tells teachers, students to skip school

The Chicago Teachers Union is calling on students and teachers to skip school and work on May 1st so they can join protests against federal immigration law enforcement and in favor of higher taxes on wealthy people. CTU delegates passed a resolution on Wednesday saying that public education is under “an unprecedented national assault.”

Russell Dickerson to play Du Quoin State Fair

Tickets are set to go on sale Friday for country music performer Russell Dickerson’s performance at the Du Quoin State Fair. Dickerson is scheduled to take the grandstand stage on Saturday, September 5. Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster, starting at 10 a.m. on Friday. The Du Quoin State Fair runs from August 28 to Sept. 7.

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