Education and Family

High school students from all across McLean County are taking part in the Youth Global Citizens program. The program allows students to work on goals and events for local organizations such as the Promise Project and Home Sweet Home Ministries. District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly said bringing the program to McLean County this academic year let students open their eyes to the endless possibilities of leadership. Reilly said he is proud young people are volunteering their time to service and philanthropy.

Illinois lawmakers have approved a $600 million short-term funding infusion for higher education institutions that have been struggling financially due to not receiving state money during the state budget impasse.

Illinois State University has named its new Vice President for Student Affairs. He is Levester Johnson who comes from a similar job at smaller Butler University in Indianapolis.

Autism Advocacy groups are mounting a challenge to Bloomington Normal businesses to make the twin cities an autism friendly community. MarcFirst and Autism McLean are urging businesses to explore employing people on the spectrum.

Gov. Bruce Rauner says an overhaul of Illinois' outdated school funding formula can be done over time.

The McLean County Unit 5 Board of Education has approved changes to start and end times for the 2016-17 school year.

This change from a three-tier to a two-tier system means elementary students will be starting the school day at 7:45. High schools will start at 8:30 and middle schools start latest at 8:45.

Illinois state superintendent of schools says some districts will lose money, even with Governor Bruce Rauner’s proposed increase for school funding.

SIU President Randy Dunn says cuts in state funding could be the end of the institution as it currently exists. In testimony before a Senate Committee Thursday morning, Dunn says people in the region know SIU is in trouble, and area residents want stability.

Students, parents and teachers are voicing their concerns about possible changes to school bus routes and start times. More than fifteen people spoke during a regular board meeting. Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel says the budget situation is forcing them to make changes.

Income inequality is affecting education in K-12 schools. Dr. Frank Beck, who is a Professor of Sociology at Illinois State University says students who worry about issues at home can lose focus in the classroom.

Governor Bruce Rauner visited a vocational school in Peoria Tuesday to tout his plans to improve Illinois schools.

Rauner’s ideas include funneling more state money to public schools and eliminating unfunded state mandates. Rauner was speaking in a school district where the majority of students are low income.

Illinois State University is hiring a Nursing School Director from North Carolina to head the Mennonite College of Nursing. Judy Neubrander replaces Janet Krejci who became ISU Provost. At Western Carolina University, Neubrander started a development council fundraising organization, implemented a Doctoral Program in the nursing school, and helped plan a new College of Health and Human Sciences building at Western Carolina.

As the Illinois State University Board of Trustees meets and marks it's 20th anniversary, members of the board were thinking of the situation in Springfield. Board Chair Rocky Donahue says during the on-going budget stalemate, when every expenditure is being questioned, ISU is doing it's part.

Governor Bruce Rauner has created a special cabinet to streamline education and issues regarding young people across Illinois. Rauner signed an executive order on Thursday morning at a middle school in Riverton, outside Springfield, creating the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth. He says the cabinet will bring together all state entities that deal with children into a central unit. He's calling it the Children's Cabinet. The governor says he wants the cabinet to make sure state resources are used effectively and working together.

This weekend a group of Illinois Wesleyan University Students is headed for a national ethics competition in Virginia. Wesleyan earned a slot in the competition by virtue of a 3rd place finish in the Central States Regionals. Coach Emily Kelahan says along with learning to defend their own positions on ethical issues, the students also try to understand the other view.

Bradley University has chosen a 24-year U.S. Army veteran to be the campus' new crime prevention officer. Nathan Hayes says he's quickly adjusting to his new job. The school named Haynes to the position earlier this month as part of an effort to strengthen relationships between students at the Peoria campus and the police. Haynes says police should let people know officers are there to help, not harass. Haynes is originally from Oneida. He was in the Army before he came to Bradley in 2014 as a patrol officer.

Bells tolled at Northern Illinois University to mark the eighth anniversary of a campus shooting that left five students dead. Family members of the victims gathered Sunday afternoon at the DeKalb campus as bells rang at 3:06 p.m., the time a gunman opened fire in a Cole Hall classroom on Feb. 14, 2008. Roses, stuffed bears and crosses were placed at granite memorials on campus that bear each victim's name. Lorel Dubowski's daughter, Gayle Dubowski, died in the shooting. Dubowski's husband, son, granddaughter and a family friend came on Sunday.