* Illinois SAT scores drop

The top essay score is 12. Illinois students scored an average 7.9, down slightly from 8 in 2009, but highest in the country.

Still, with results from all parts of the writing test combined, Illinois’ average writing score slid to 577, from 583 in 2009.

Likewise, Illinois’ average reading score dipped to 585, from 588 in 2009; and the average math score dropped to 600, from 604 in 2009. Each test is graded on a scale from 200 to 800 points.

Mary Fergus, a spokeswoman for the Illinois State Board of Education, noted that fewer than 6 percent of the state’s students take the SAT.

* Illinois educators talk budget crisis, declining SAT scores

* Catholic school ACT scores still on top, but public schools gain

This year’s more than 6,100 Catholic high school seniors in Cook and Lake counties averaged a score of 22.8 on the 36-point ACT, up 0.1 percentage point from 2009, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic School office disclosed Monday.

Meanwhile, nearly 25,000 Chicago public school seniors averaged a score of 17.3 — up 0.3 percentage points from the previous year.

* Cook County commissioners back ethics reform

Two other measures are aimed in part at Joe Berrios, a county tax appeals commissioner and Democratic county assessor nominee. He faces a challenge from Commissioner Forrest Claypool, a Chicago Democrat running as an independent.

* Cook ‘reform’ proposals stir debate over politics

“I have no problem identifying Mr. Berrios as someone who has conflicts of interest that are currently legal,” Simpson, a former Chicago alderman, said, adding later, “I do support Mr. Claypool in the assessor’s race.”

That got an immediate response from Chicago Democratic commissioners loyal to Berrios, who is also chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party.

“All of this is political,” said Commissioner Deborah Sims. “It’s not fair.”

“This is not a democracy,” added Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno. “It’s a hypocrisy.”

* Indicted McHenry prosecutor vows to stay on job, fight charges

* Washington Center a takeover target

Mayor Daley wants to give the Chicago City Colleges a $1.8 million subsidy to purchase the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Bronzeville, a move former Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd) calls “totally illegal” and “political harassment.”

The influx of tax-increment-financing (TIF) funds would pave the way for City Colleges to purchase the center’s foreclosed mortgage, take the 1,000-seat auditorium at 47th and King Drive out of the hands of a non-profit run by Tillman’s daughter and turn it into an education and performing arts center.

* Survey says U. of I. is a good place to go to get a job

* City could have up to 20 new aldermen

If Mayor Daley had chosen to seek a seventh term — and once again drawn only nominal opposition — the Feb. 22 turn-out could have been under 42 percent, as it has been in the last four mayoral elections.

That’s down from over 60 percent 1989 and 47.8 percent in 1991.

But, with a wide-open mayoral seat for the first time in 64 years attracting interest from scores of candidates, turnout could double the 33 percent that went to the polls four years ago.

* In letter, Fraternal Order of Police calls on Weis to resign

* Supt. Weis And Police Union Clash Publicly

* Sun-Times: Weis erred, but doesn’t deserve the cheap shots

* Crime soars on CTA

* Woman sues CTA, bus driver after being dragged, lawyer says

* DuPage board looks to limit chairman’s powers

Insiders say changing the appointment process of a replacement state’s attorney is a reach because state election code outlines that process. The law calls for the chairman to make a recommendation to the board. If the board and chairman can’t agree, the chief judge can make an appointment until the issue is resolved by the board and chairman, said current State’s Attorney Joseph Birkett.

* Tribune creditors want to sue Sam Zell for vaporizing their investment with LBO

* Tribune unsecured creditors seek right to sue Zell

* Tribune Creditors Seek To Sue Sam Zell

* Crews working on Romeoville oil pipeline leak site

* The great Illinois oil rush

* Sale of Schaumburg Flyers hitting snags in offseason

* University updates D204 on proposed charter school

* Class sizes prompts District 200 to add staff

* Zaranti chosen as Chicago Heights interim mayor

“I’ve got some mixed emotions here,” Zaranti said after winning the appointment. “For me, this is not time to celebrate. This is not something I’m prepared to do. It’s with great honor and with a heavy heart I accept this opportunity.”

Zaranti, who was elected to the council in 2007, previously served two terms as a park district commissioner. He said he was excited to “continue the work (Lopez) started.”

* Board insist museum closing is temporary

* Students, parents demand block scheduling stay

* Arlington Heights negotiates new waste collection contract

* Palatine approves dialysis center

* Navistar-Forest Preserve road deal back on track

* Belvidere makes big effort to fight drugs

* East Moline superintendent leaving district Oct. 14

* Moline taxpayers may have to pay more for rising salaries, pensions

Finance director KathyCarr said the amount fluctuates each year and the 2011 contribution is adding to a projected $1.3 million deficit Moline staffers now are working to reduce and eliminate for 2011.

A total of $2.67 million is recommended to be levied for firefighter pensions and $2.28 million for police pensions. That is only the city’s contribution for 2011.

* Adams, Pike counties eligible for federal disaster assistance

* Mason, Tazewell among 55 Illinois disaster counties

* Peoria airport gets $1.8 million Transportation grant

* Washington school improvements detailed

* Pekin adopts diversity statement

* Coles County Board plans hearing tonight on bond issue for building repairs

* Bloomington turns down theater’s request to sell beer

* Schools in Danville remain closed by strike

* Public school teachers strike in Danville, Illinois

* Downtown Champaign, campus agencies to discuss merger at reception

* News-Gazette: Prussing pick makes good sense

* State board alters landfill plan; most Macon County requirements sustained

* Budget process heats up before Macon County Board panel

* Mattoon council fires public works director

* State Police investigate domestic incident involving Coles County chief deputy

* Wind farm proposal in western Sangamon picks up steam

* O’Fallon declines to create special district to pay for mowing at development

* Collinsville OKs updated property maintenance codes

* Fairview leaders to pick new police chief

* Marion Takes Another Step Toward Destination Development