West Central Reporter

Macomb Community Unit School District 185 had the highest enrollment among McDonough County districts, welcoming 1,946 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2023-24 school year, 50.2% of them were boys, and 49.8% were girls.

Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 71% of the Macomb Community Unit School District 185's total enrollment.

Among the three districts in McDonough County, Bushnell Prairie City Community Unit School District 170 ranked second in enrollment numbers with 587 students, while West Prairie Community Unit School District 103 welcomed 574 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Macomb Community Unit School District 185 roughly covers schools within McDonough County with its main office in Macomb.

In the previous school year, Macomb Community Unit School District 185 also had the highest number of students among McDonough County districts.

Illinois has approved a new budget for 2025 that increases funds for K-12 education to $8.6 billion, $350 million above 2024.

Lawmakers also approved a new bill that creates a statewide child tax credit, which allows families to receive $300 per child under 17 years. This comes after a similar aid was granted from the federal government, as part of the American Rescue Plan.

District	City (main office)	Total Enrollment
Macomb Community Unit School District 185	Macomb	1,946
Bushnell Prairie City Community Unit School District 170	Bushnell	587
West Prairie Community Unit School District 103	Colchester	574