News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup

Chicago Archdiocese Mulls School Closings

After Failure of Private-Education-Aid Bill

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago is considering closing some schools, after the Illinois legislature failed to pass a measure that would have directed $12 million in aid to private and parochial schools.

After determining that they did not have the necessary votes to pass the proposal this month, lawmakers decided instead to use the money to shore up two existing funds for books and transportation for both public and private schools. The $48 billion state budget was subsequently passed and now awaits approval by Gov....