A number of different updates have been made to the Illinois School Code regarding purchasing over the recent years. These changes have brought clarity to purchasing regulations, but they also pose new questions. Explore these changes and discover the new opportunities available to your district in the new world of school purchasing.
By David Bein, Ph.D., SFO, Ken Florey and Dan Noonan
Articles
From Purchasing to payroll to personnel data, back-office platforms shape how schools operate. Explore market trends and adoption patterns of these different software options that reveal where Illinois districts are currently, and where they are headed next.
By Scott Burns
Purchasing is not just about price; it is also about values. Explore strategies for expanding purchasing opportunities to diverse suppliers, strengthening community relationships and modeling equity through intentional procurement practices.
By Tamara Mitchell, SFO
Student activity funds fuel a variety of opportunities—but they also carry immense risk. Learn how strong policies, layered oversight and clear reporting protect resources and build trust with families and communities surrounding these funds.
By Samir Desai and Jordan Thorse
Strong and clear specifications are the foundations of successful bidding. Discover how Illinois school districts can balance clarity, compliance and flexibility to protect themselves, follow the law and secure the best value for their projects.
By Christopher Gorman, Tim Keeley and Howard Metz
From handshake deals to formal contracts, intergovernmental cooperation has transformed how Illinois school districts and their communities share services and reduce costs. Explore the history, current trends and best practices for crafting effective intergovernmental agreements.
By Brittany Flaherty Theis, Matthew Gardner, Esq. and Brian O’Keeffe, CSBO, Ed. D., SFO
With the launch of Illinois Together earlier this year, the dreaded RFP process is being turned into collaborative partnerships for schools across the state. Learn from a real-world example of how Illinois Together is helping schools collaborate, cut costs and share resources—creating a stronger, smarter purchasing network.
By Cindy Dykas and Jessica Gassiyombo