Lay Bare Layoffs

Illinois schools have fired more than 2,600 teachers this year

Fewer Illinois school districts are in serious financial trouble this school year — but apparently at the cost of more than 2,600 fewer teachers. The Illinois State Board of Education released data Wednesday showing that even counting the fact that the state has been as much as $1 billion behind in its payments to districts this school year, 32 school districts made the “financial watchlist’’ this school year, down from 39 districts last school year.