Higher Education

Illinois State University plans to replace the lower bowl seating and add ADA compliant seats, box seating locations and a suite in Redbird Arena.

Candidates for the 105th Illinois House District set public education funding as a top priority during a GLT debate Wednesday night at Illinois State's University Galleries.

Northern Illinois University will be the fourth research hub for the Illinois Innovation Network.

This hub will be part of a research network that spans three University of Illinois campuses, each focused on different subjects.  Gov Bruce Rauner says the state’s already budgeted $15 million for NIU’s center, and NIU President Lisa Freeman says the center will focus on issues of sustainability.  

"Environmental sustainability, water and food policy, water and food shortages," she said. 

Gov. Rauner said this could lead to significant innovation.

lllinois has historically ranked second in the nation when it comes to high school graduates leaving the state to go to college. But there's good news for a certain set of students who opt to stay.

Illinois State University President Larry Dietz on Thursday announced new scholarships that could keep high schoolers from leaving the state, as he called on lawmakers to revamp the way they fund higher education.

Illinois government wants to keep kids from leaving the state for college. Its latest effort is a website and app that allows students and their parents to compare in-state schools.

The University of Illinois on Monday announced a new financial aid program designed to make enrollment at its Urbana-Champaign campus more affordable for middle-class students.

A new partnership between Heartland Community College and Exelon gives employees at the Clinton Power Station customized courses towards an associate’s degree.

Illinois is creating a new merit-based scholarship aimed at getting more high school graduates to attend in-state colleges and universities.

At least one Illinois university will continue to ask applicants about their criminal histories despite a recent announcement from the Common Application that the form will no longer include the question as of next fall.

Illinois State University leaders said projections show enrollment will be just fine in the fall term.

Illinois State University posted its second highest fundraising year on record last budget year.

Western Illinois University has seen a sharp drop in student enrollment in recent years, which means less money coming in through tuition and fees.  That, combined with decreases in state financial support – especially during the two-year state budget impasse – hurt the university's finances, leading to layoffs, furloughs, and an early retirement program.

SIU Trustees will meet in special session Monday to vote on a separation agreement for System President Randy Dunn.

The University of Illinois' new medical school is set to open its doors with its first class of 32 students.

The News-Gazette reports the Carle Illinois College of Medicine will kick off a weeklong orientation for students on Monday. There will be a welcome from Dean King Li, campus tours and a barbeque before studies begin.

"It's getting real," said Andrea Jake, director of student affairs.

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday toured Illinois State University's aging Fine Arts complex, where nearly $6 million has been sunk into maintenance and short-term repairs.

The Heartland Community College (HCC) Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved a tentative budget for the next fiscal year. The $30.7 million spending plan allots for a $260,000 deficit, which is half of the original projection.

The new state budget includes $1.3 million in additional money for Illinois State University.

State Sen. Chapin Rose had what he thought was a no-brainer bill. All he wanted to do was help public universities connect with promising high school juniors by sharing basic data like standardized test scores.

Heartland Community College is switching its location in Lincoln.

Heartland Community College and its faculty union have agreed on a three-year contract.

The Illinois State University administration is recommending no increase in room and board rates for the next school year. And the proposal going to trustees on Friday includes a 3.75 percent increase in tuition.