Illinois
CASNews student spotlight: Alexandra Raloff
Name: Alexandra Raloff
Year: Junior
Major: Mathematics teacher education
Minor: English
Hometown: Tinley Park
What brought you to Illinois State University and the College of Arts and Sciences?
“When I was looking for a university to attend, I wanted somewhere that was close to home for when I want to see my family, but also far enough to gain a sense of independence. I also know Illinois State is known as a good university to attend if you want to go into teaching, so that was a major part of my decision-making as well. When it comes to coming to the College of Arts and Sciences, I have always enjoyed the challenge and satisfaction of solving challenging math problems, and I wanted to further pursue mathematics alongside going into teaching. It’s also really nice being able to add my English minor as well, since writing and literature are personal interests of mine.”
How have you gotten involved at Illinois State?
“I’ve made many friends on campus and like to attend university events like Welcome Week, and I’ve been in a few RSOs (registered student organizations), but I’m most involved in the RSO Vocal Movement. I’m the current treasurer, one of the choreographers, the soprano 2 section leader, and I have a lot of friends in the group, so I spend a lot of time with them. I’m also in the Honors Program and have taken fun honors seminars and explorations, but my favorite honors experience so far has been the Alternative Spring Break trip to Cumberland State Park in Tennessee. Helping build trails made me feel more connected to nature and myself, and it was very rewarding to see all the progress our hard work helped contribute to.”
What is your proudest or happiest moment so far at Illinois State?
“I’ve had many happy moments and moments where I was proud of myself at Illinois State, but one that stands out to me was on the last day of my Honors Alternative Spring Break trip when we took a break from working on the trail to spend time at Daddy’s Creek. Clearing the duff on the trail was very physically demanding work, and I was so proud of myself for sticking with it and doing my best every day, even when I was sore and the walk in got longer and longer each day from all the duff we managed to clear as a group. That time we spent on the last day at the creek made me really appreciate all the work we put in, and I was so proud of myself for sticking with it even when it was hard, and that made that time spent at the creek with the friends I’ve made feel even more precious.”
Associate Professor Óscar Chavez on Raloff:
“Alexandra was my student in MAT 211. She always had a happy disposition and a keen interest in geometry. I could always count on meticulous work from her. I think that proof writing is a creative endeavor. Alexandra’s proofs in my class were always a pleasure to read, carefully crafted arguments rather than blind application of a procedure. She has an inquisitive mind, she is a profound thinker, and an excellent team player. She has varied interests which, I’m sure, will give her a broader view of education. I think Alexandra has a very bright future as a mathematics teacher. Her students will be very fortunate to learn from her.”
Read more stories from the College of Arts and Sciences at News.IllinoisState.edu/Unit/College-Arts-Sciences and follow the college on Facebook and Instagram.
A fire at the vacant old Balmoral Park racetrack in Crete, Illinois, sent smoke billowing over several south Chicago suburbs Sunday morning.
Around 6:30 a.m., flames raced through the structures on the old racetrack grounds. Fire departments from several suburbs, as well as Northwest Indiana, were called in to help.
Balmoral Park dates back to 1926, when it opened as Lincoln Fields. The racetrack hosted both thoroughbred and harness races over the years.
A fire also damaged the grandstand at the racetrack during renovations in 1952, forcing the races for the 1952-53 season to move to Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney. Balmoral in turn picked up some races in 1986 after a fire destroyed the grandstand at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights the summer before.
Balmoral Park was hosting only harness racing when it closed at the end of 2015. The property was purchased the following year by Horse Shows In The Sun as a hunter-jumper horse show venue, but this only lasted a few years and the property has stood vacant ever since, reports noted.
Illinois football is building what looks to be a pretty solid class of 2027, and they are all in-state commits thus far.
The Illini have four players pledged for 2027. The national recruiting ranking is creeping up, too. Bret Bielema has us sitting at No. 57 in the country, which is a big improvement from the sub-No. 80 we were just weeks ago.
I love that Bielema is securing top talent, and they are all from the state of Illinois. Well, we could be adding another in-state talent in the near future.
On Saturday, according to 247Sports, Bennett Konkey is now going to be taking an official visit to Illinois. The visit will be on the weekend of June 12.
Konkey is a big-time recruit. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver from Geneva High School in Illinois is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 737 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 87 wide receiver in the country and the No. 26 player coming out of Illinois.
As of right now, Illinois is his only official visit that is set up. He has scholarship offers from some big-time programs like Duke, Wisconsin, and Iowa State, but Illinois seems to be on the inside track to land this kid.
There is a lot to love about Konkey’s game, too. The biggest thing that pops off the screen is his speed. He is a track athlete, so he can burn down the field. Having a nice big body helps at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. That combination of size and speed is dangerous.
Bret Bielema is building a nice stable of wide receivers on the Illinois football roster
What is great about Bielema’s recruiting right now is that he knows the important positions. Having a good quarterback and offensive line is crucial. That quarterback also needs weapons.
Collin Dixon is going to be an All-Big Ten wide receiver this season. You can go down the line and point out some crucial pieces out wide in 2026. Hudson Clement and Brayden Trimble will be big this season. New additions Alex Perry and Ty Robinson will also have a say in snaps.
In 2027, Perry, Robinson, and Clement will depart, among others. That should give someone like Konkey the runway to see snaps and maybe even some starts as a freshman.
I think this kid has a chance to be a really good player at the next level. He isn’t one of these little scrappy type of slot receivers. Konkey is someone who can play out wide or in the slot. His versatility is phenomenal, and my hope is we can land him and continue building.
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