Higher Education

In the same vein as "No Kings" protests, the Bloomington-Normal rally of the national "May Day Strong" protest called for an end to attacks on laborers. The Illinois Federation of Teachers called special attention to addressing the lack of higher ed funding.

Dining and grounds workers say the financial squeeze of going weeks without pay is making it tough for them to get by. Union members have been on strike since April 8.

Ben Hage will take his new position effective June 1. The Petrick Idea Center will open this fall semester at Illinois Wesleyan University.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) told U of I it could not bring out its then mascot at championship games. The NCAA said Chief Illiniwek was hostile to Indigenous communities.

Faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield went on strike Friday after contract negotiations failed to produce satisfactory wage increases and address other concerns.

Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule was one of eight university leaders who signed a letter in support of a measure that aims to overhaul how public universities in Illinois are funded. The measure that would create an evidence-based funding formula for higher education was approved in a House committee on Thursday.

ISU President Aondover Tarhule on Friday took a practical stance as litigation continues over a lot of federal mandates. "Our first and most important responsibility is to our students,” said Tarhule.

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.

It will cost most incoming Illinois State University undergraduate students about $1,143 more next school year, according to recommendations the administration has made to the Board of Trustees.

Lawmakers have concerns about increasing higher education funding this year, with a tight budget. They are waiting for more information to decide on a change to the funding model.