Illinois

After two years of enrollment increases, here’s where UIS stands for 2024-25

Published

1 year ago

September 13, 2024

After two years of enrollment increases, here’s where UIS stands for 2024-25

Enrollment numbers at the University of Illinois Springfield held steady for the fall semester officials announced Wednesday, after the school had two years of increased numbers.

A total of 4,628 students were enrolled at the 10-day count, compared to 4,661 students last year, a less than 1% dip, though the number of new first-year freshmen, first-time transfer students and online students all increased.

Ten-day figures are the traditional benchmark for reporting enrollment among U.S. colleges and universities.

More: From Pulitzer Prize winners to Grammy winners: 11 notable UIS alumni

A record 97,772 students enrolled across the University of Illinois System for the fall semester, eclipsing the previous record of 94,861 established in 2022

The U of I System is comprised of campuses in Urbana-Champaign and Chicago in addition to Springfield.

One snafu affecting enrollment was the U.S. Department of Education’s delay in opening the newly-overhauled Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

UIS hosted multiple online workshops and in-person events to assist students with the revised application process.

“We’re happy with where we ended up (numbers-wise),” said Vickie Cook, UIS vice chancellor for enrollment and retention.

UIS officials reported 262 new freshmen and 449 first-time transfer students enrolled at UIS, both representing an increase from fall 2023.

Online enrollment saw a 3.9% increase, with 1,967 online majors this fall, up from 1,893 last fall.

Slightly more than half of the university’s enrollment consists of graduate students.

While the majority of “first-time freshmen” are in the 18-to-20-year-old range, Cook said, some students, especially post-pandemic, continue to take a “a gap year” or otherwise took time off before heading to school.

“We’ll see how the trends change over time, but it’s very possible that students will continue to take some time off after high school before continuing to the university,” Cook said.

The university is continuing to look at how it can assist transfer students “in making the bridge to UIS” more effective, Cook added.

Around 80% of those transfer students are from community colleges, like Lincoln Land Community College, Illinois Central College and Parkland College, she said, though students tend to be older in age range.

Illinois residents make up a little over two-thirds of the student body, or about 3,100 students.

International students represent 20.7% of the total enrollment, with 957 students, primarily from India, Nigeria and Ghana.

“UIS remains a popular destination for international students,” Cook said. “Our international population enhances the diversity and global perspective of the campus community.”

School officials are also cognizant of “the demographic cliff” hitting Illinois, meaning a smaller pool of high school students to draw from, Cook said.

Best Colleges reported that beginning in 2025 and over the succeeding four years, the number of 18-year-olds nationwide will decrease by 15% or approximately 576,000 students.

“We have to adapt and adjust as populations change,” Cook acknowledged.

FAFSA, Cook said, will continue to be an issue this coming year. The form will be open to all students by Dec. 1 or two months later than normal.

“We are hopeful,” Cook said, “that this year they will have fewer errors and that students and their families will have a little more confidence in being able to complete the FAFSA in a pretty relatively good time frame.”

Cook also noted that the university initiated “last-half classes” or accelerated eight-week classes, so students won’t lose an entire semester. Those classes begin Oct. 21.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

Source link

Click to comment

Illinois

Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García discusses decision to not run for reelection: ‘Want to cherish my family’

Published

4 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Press Room

Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García discusses decision to not run for reelection: ‘Want to cherish my family’

CHICAGO (WLS) — Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García sat down with ABC7 Chicago to discuss his decision not to run for reelection to Illinois’ 4th Congressional District and quickly anoint his chief of staff.

The congressman seems to be embroiled in controversy. His critics are now accusing him of playing politics after he announced he wouldn’t seek reelection, but appeared to left in place a plan to make sure his chief of staff took over his seat.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“I’m concerned about me being portrayed as a king and someone anointing, like Donald Trump,” García said.

The lawmaker defended his last-minute controversial decision, saying the timing was result of family obligations and not the Chicago political machine at play.

The 69-year old says he’s stepping aside because of advice he received from his cardiologist. García also cited his wife’s fight against MS.

“I knew that she was hurting,” García said. “I knew that she was worried about the future and that she told me I need you home soon and I need you home alive. That was gut wrenching.”

García filed petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections to run for his 4th Congressional District seat on October 27, but his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, who is not related to him, filed her petitions ahead of Monday’s deadline for filing. The congressman says he struggled with the decision.

RELATED | Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García’s decision to exit 2026 race, anoint his chief of staff draws criticism

“I’ve been contested. I’ve been challenged every race that I’ve had, so anyone could have filed and run for this office as they did two years ago four years ago, six years ago,” García said.

García has been a mainstay in Chicago politics for four decades. He’s served as an alderman, a Cook County commissioner, state senator and was a two-time mayoral candidate.

García is the deputy whip of the congressional Progressive Caucus and has represented the 4th District since 2019. He’s been reelected three times.

Alderman Mike Rodriguez of the 22nd Ward is part of García’s coalition and might have been considered to run for García’s seat.

“The best candidate, the only candidate that anyone should be looking right now is Dr. Patty Garcia,” Ald. Rodriguez said. “She’s amazing.”

Born in Mexico, “Chuy” García came to Chicago in the 1960s, eventually living in the city’s Little Village neighborhood. He became politically active in the coalition of then Mayor Harold Washington.

García remains sentimental about his legacy.

“All this reminded me of the loss of our daughter and the children arriving, and the strength that they gave us,” García said. “During this time, we discovered what life is all about and how you make a difference. I really want to cherish my family.”

SEE ALSO | Race to replace Sen. Durbin: Who could take the Illinois seat in DC?

The congressman’s decision is the latest in Illinois politics this year, with five open congressional seats and an open senate race for the March primary.

The congressman has until January 8 to withdraw his petitions. That’s the day the Illinois State Board of Elections certifies the March 17 ballot. So far, that hasn’t happened yet.

Source link

Illinois

Illinois Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Nov. 5, 2025

Published

22 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Press Room

Florida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Cash4Life results for Nov. 5, 2025

The Illinois Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 5, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

09-17-29-61-66, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-3 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 2-7-1, Fireball: 5

Evening: 6-5-0, Fireball: 5

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 2-8-5-9, Fireball: 7

Evening: 5-9-3-1, Fireball: 5

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning LuckyDay Lotto numbers from Nov. 5 drawing

Midday: 05-21-23-27-40

Evening: 02-17-29-31-40

Check LuckyDay Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes up to $600: Claim at an Illinois Lottery retailer, a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim. By mail, send the required documentation to: Illinois Lottery Claims Department, P.O. Box 19080, Springfield, IL.
Prizes from $601 to $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.
Prizes over $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center or by mail.
Appointments Required: Schedule an appointment for in-person claims.
Documentation: Bring a photo ID and Social Security number proof.

When are the Illinois Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky Day Lotto (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky Day Lotto (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto: 9:22 p.m. CT on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Illinois editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

Illinois

Northern Illinois vs. Toledo: Week 11 College Football Betting Odds, Prediction

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2025

Press Room

Northern Illinois vs. Toledo: Week 11 College Football Betting Odds, Prediction

Wednesday night MACtion rolls on as the college football slate gives its national coverage to the MAC for some of the most fun football that the sport has to offer.

The Northern Illinois Huskies (2-6, 1-3 MAC) hit the road to Toledo, Ohio, to take on the Toledo Rockets (4-4, 2-2 MAC) from the Glass Bowl.

If you are looking for some betting advice for the matchup, we’ve got you covered. Here are the latest odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM.

Stream Northern Illinois vs. Toledo

Northern Illinois vs. Toledo game odds

All college football odds via BetMGM

Spread: Toledo -14 (-110), Northern Illinois +14 (-110)
Money Line: Northern Illinois -625, Toledo +450
Over-Under: Over 41.5 (-110), Under 41.5 (-110)

Northern Illinois vs. Toledo prediction, pick:

This game comes down to a rather simple analysis. Northern Illinois struggles horribly to score points. They average just 13.4 points per game, which is No. 134 out of 136 teams in America. Toledo is No. 48 in college football at 31.8 points per game.

The Huskies’ defense is middle of the pack, giving up just 22 points per game, but they are not on the level of Toledo’s unit, which allowed just 16 points per game, No. 10 in the country.

Toledo’s dominant defense going up against a struggling Northern Illinois offense is what this matchup comes down to. The Rockets won’t have to be dominant offensively, although you may want to check out wide receiver Junior Vandeross III (52 receptions, 608 yards, 8 TD), who is one of the best weapons college football isn’t talking about enough.

Prediction: Toledo 30, Northern Illinois 10

Best Bet: Toledo -14

Northern Illinois vs. Toledo channel, start time, streaming:

Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV Channel: ESPN2

Live Stream: ESPN App

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

Source link