Illinois
University of Illinois officials begin outreach tour at Homewood-Flossmoor High School
U of I ramps up outreach efforts to attract future students
Back-to-school season is putting higher education on the brain for high schoolers hoping to go to college, and the University of Illinois is bolstering its outreach for the cause.
CHICAGO – The University of Illinois system kicked off a three-day outreach tour Tuesday at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School, with top officials meeting students to promote the university and address concerns of potential students.
“We take great pride in offering an amazing education at an affordable price,” University of Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones said, as he led a delegation that included leaders from all three campuses.
The visit marked the first stop in a statewide tour aimed at encouraging students to apply to the university system.
During the event, senior Ahmad Powell posed a question to the university officials, asking, “Based off of all the experiences you’ve had with students from your schools, what’s a key pivotal thing that students should invest their time in?”
Chancellor Jones responded that the tour serves two purposes: listening and recruiting. He urged students to consider attending one of the University of Illinois campuses, emphasizing their hard work and academic potential.
This is the fourth year of the university’s outreach tour, which stops at high schools and businesses throughout Illinois. The goal is to connect with students, educators, and potential partners while addressing concerns about the perceived cost of attending the university.
University of Illinois President Timothy L. Killeen emphasized that the university has taken steps to keep education affordable.
“We’ve kept our costs down in a draconian fashion the last few years,” Killeen said. “Eight of the last 10 years, we’ve frozen tuition. We’ve added more financial aid.”
Homewood-Flossmoor Superintendent Scott Waleley echoed the importance of making students feel wanted.
“Even though they’re academically talented, they want to go somewhere where they feel wanted,” he said.
For some students, the university’s outreach efforts have already worked. Senior Cameron Brooks, who has committed to the University of Illinois football program, said, “I thought it was a great university, a beautiful campus, somewhere I can grow as a person and come out better than I came in.”
The University of Illinois tour will continue Wednesday with a stop at West Leyden High School in Northlake.
MACOMB, Ill. (AP) — Rasheed Jones had 20 points in Coastal Carolina’s 84-64 win against Western Illinois on Friday.
Jones shot 6 of 17 from the field, including 4 for 10 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 5 from the free-throw line for the Chanticleers (3-2). Josh Beadle shot 6 of 12 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 5 from the foul line to add 18 points. DaJohn Craig shot 4 for 6, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points.
The Leathernecks (1-5) were led by Karyiek Dixon, who recorded 16 points and eight rebounds. Western Illinois also got 16 points and six rebounds from Francis Okwuosah. Tyran Cook had eight points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Wisconsin Badgers are looking to end what has been a disastrous season on a high note. The team is 3-7 through 10 games, with a 1-6 mark in conference play and seven multi-score losses. It now closes vs. Illinois on Saturday, then at Minnesota on Nov. 29, badly needing two strong performances to build momentum entering 2026.
Illinois enters the first leg of that final stretch at 7-3 (4-3 Big Ten) on the year, ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll. The team is falling short of its preseason College Football Playoff expectations. However, head coach Bret Bielema continues to elevate the program’s standing, set to deliver another strong eight or nine-win finish.
Luke Fickell and his Wisconsin program are working to rise to Illinois’ current place in the conference. A big 2026 reestablishing the program’s trajectory will be key to that ascension. A strong 2026, as noted, must start with a solid stretch to close 2025.
With just over 24 hours until kickoff between the Badgers and Fighting Illini, here is the updated betting line and over/under.
Wisconsin football vs. Illinois opening betting odds, money line, over/under
Odds courtesy of FanDuel
- Point Spread: Illinois minus-8 1/2, Wisconsin plus-8 1/2
- Money Line: Illinois minus-355, Wisconsin plus-285
- Over/under: 41 1/2
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Three lottery tickets purchased in the Chicago area are set to expire soon, meaning the unknown lucky winners could be out thousands of dollars if they do not step up to claim their prizes.
Among the cash prizes are two tickets valued at $100,000 each that will expire in March and another with a $200,000 payout, which will expire next week, according to Illinois Lottery officials. The $200,000 Powerball winner was purchased at a Citgo at 44 E. Sibley Avenue in Dolton on Nov. 30.
The other two tickets that have winners that have not claimed prizes include:
- A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 12 at the Speedway, 110 Arrowhead Drive, Hampshire
- A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 19 at the Shell, 4900 S. Cicero Avenue, Chicago.
Winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize, according to the Illinois Lottery.
The Illinois Lottery is urging players to check their tickets as the deadline approaches to claim a $200,000 winning Powerball ticket purchased nearly a year ago in Dolton, Illinois. The ticket will expire in two weeks if not claimed.
The Illinois Lottery encourages the ticket holder to sign the back of their winning ticket immediately and store it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize.
A full list of unclaimed prizes can be found on the Illinois Lottery’s website.
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