Ben Matthews

Illinois State University's board of trustees on Friday approved a 5% tuition increase for new students arriving on campus this fall, with Chief Financial Officer Glen Nelson saying planners tried to minimize the impact of cost increases on those students.

Kathleen Lorenz defended a campaign contribution from the McLean County Republican Party in her 2025 run for mayor of Normal during a marathon hearing Friday at the Illinois State Board of Elections' offices in Chicago. Lorenz's attorney called the hearing "smoke and mirrors."

Bloomington-Normal students and teachers got their first taste of their new reality Monday as schools began what will be at least a two-week shutdown…