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University of Illinois officials begin outreach tour at Homewood-Flossmoor High School

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University of Illinois officials begin outreach tour at Homewood-Flossmoor High School


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.

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“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?”

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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.

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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.

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“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.”

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The University of Illinois tour will continue Wednesday with a stop at West Leyden High School in Northlake.



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5 tornadoes confirmed in central Illinois following weekend storms

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5 tornadoes confirmed in central Illinois following weekend storms


(WAND) – The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes touched down in central Illinois during Sunday’s storms. 

The tornado count for the WAND viewing area, which does not include all of central Illinois, is now at 61 as of June 22.

For reference, the area averages 20 tornadoes annually. 

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The NWS confirmed an EF-1 east of Neoga in Cumberland County, along with EF-0 tornadoes southwest of Stewardson in Shelby County and northeast of Toledo, also in Cumberland County. 

Additionally, the NWS office in St. Louis confirmed two EF-0 tornadoes south of Shobonier in far southern Fayette County. 

Shobonier is about 10 miles south of Vandalia.

Final details have yet to be released.

This is a developing story. 

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Jimmy Awards: Park Ridge, Tinley Park students to make Broadway debut

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Jimmy Awards: Park Ridge, Tinley Park students to make Broadway debut


CHICAGO (WLS) — The Jimmy Awards honoring “theatre kids” is happening on Monday night in New York City!

Jane Nuich from Park Ridge and Logan Arroyo of Tinley Park will represent Illinois. They’ll be competing against over 100 students from across the nation.

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

ABC7’s Hosea Sanders has been following their adventure that leads to a Broadway debut.

When asked if they’ve been intimidated about what’s to come, Arroyo said, “Yes, it’s scary. It’s a scary place, especially putting yourself out there on a stage or alone. I want to be an actor, and I will do whatever I can to do that.”

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Nuich added, “It’s a huge opportunity to work with industry professionals and with so many other talented young people. And you get to experience so much in New York in that short week. And it’s, I think, such a cool experience rather than a big competition.”

Sanders also Arroyo and Nuich what growing up in the Chicago area has done for their exposure and their goals.

“I think the immediate access to all of the theater that Chicago has to offer has been so incredible to me. As a young student of theater and young performer in theater, I think it’s been so educational to me, and so inspiring to be able to anywhere in Chicago in a quick moment from the suburbs to just see so much theater,” Nuich said. “I think it’s so comforting to know you’re surrounded by so many artists who are just as passionate as you. And I think that going into a career in this, it’s so incredible to be exposed to so many young performers who are so talented and passionate as this age.”

Arroyo added, “I’m so excited to be around people I care about and love this as much as I do.”

When asked what previous Illinois Jimmy winners have told the performs, Nuich said, “It goes by really fast, that a lot will happen, but it’s important to stay grounded and to take it all in and realize what a special experience it is, and you just keep working hard.”

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“My big dream is to do what I love and love myself for doing it,” Arroyo said.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Video shows deadly tornado that hit southern Illinois, killing 2

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Video shows deadly tornado that hit southern Illinois, killing 2


A tornado caught on video tore through southern Illinois on Sunday, killing at least two people, hurting several others and destroying homes.

What we know:

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The tornado touched down shortly after 5 p.m. in northeastern Jefferson County and moved northeast, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Soon after, 911 dispatchers began getting calls about damaged homes, fallen trees, downed power lines and missing people.

Several police, fire and ambulance agencies responded to help search for people and clear damaged areas.

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By 9 p.m., officials said three homes had been completely destroyed, and many other buildings were damaged.

Two people died in separate homes that were destroyed by the storm. Both were single-wide mobile homes.

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Five people were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

What we don’t know:

Officials have not released the names of the two people who died.

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The National Weather Service has not yet said how strong the tornado was or how far it traveled.

Local perspective:

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Fallen trees blocked at least three roads across the area.

Power lines were knocked down in multiple places, but officials said power had been restored to most customers by Sunday night.

Authorities asked people to stay away from northeastern Jefferson County unless they had an emergency reason to be there.

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The backstory:

The storm came less than two weeks after another round of severe weather produced more than 20 tornadoes across parts of Illinois and northwest Indiana on June 11.

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What they’re saying:

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office thanked first responders and volunteers who helped with search and rescue efforts.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those lost in this tragic event,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

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The Source: The information in this story came from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Severe WeatherIllinoisNews



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