Illinois Quick Hits: Higher ed board pushes for more spending

Illinois Quick Hits: Higher ed board pushes for more spending

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved a 4.5% spending increase in its budget for fiscal year 2027.

The increase of $121.5 million includes an additional $50 million for the Monetary Award Program, bringing the total MAP appropriation to $771.6 million.

IBHE says the budget also includes an additional $38.8 million in operating funding for public universities “to continue closing equity gaps in access, persistence and completion.”

ESPINOZA MARTINEZ NOT GUILTY

A federal jury in Chicago has found a man not guilty of placing a $10,000 bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.

Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was charged last fall with soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official.

SUBURBAN POLICE CORRUPTION CONVICTION

A former police officer in the Chicago suburb of Phoenix has been convicted of federal corruption charges for conspiring to steal cash and drugs from vehicle occupants during traffic stops from 2020 to 2022.

Prosecutors say Antoine Larry, 49, of Bolingbrook conspired with another officer to solicit cash and drugs during traffic stops in exchange for reducing, dropping, or declining to press charges or allowing the vehicles to avoid impoundment.

The other officer, Jarrett Snowden of Lansing, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy trial and is awaiting sentencing.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A government watchdog group has filed ethics complaints against more than a dozen Democratic legislators in Colorado. Common Cause alleges the legislators had $25,000 in...
will county board graphic

Commission Grants Green Garden Solar Farm Project Variance Extension

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission granted a 180-day extension for two variances related to a commercial...
Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Though he has said he believes the company's position would lead to legally "absurd" results, a federal judge will still allow freight...
Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force

Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Notices of affected flights Chicago-based United Airlines is promising to let passengers know “as soon as possible” if their flights are affected by the...
Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down

Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down

By Tate MillerThe Center Square In the midst of the ongoing government shutdown, a number of Democrat governors, mayors and other officials are flying to Brazil climate change convenings. Founder...
Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers

Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With dozens of major U.S. airports reducing their flight volumes starting Friday, travelers will see droves of flights cancelled nationwide for the duration of the...
Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster

Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In the aftermath of Tuesday’s elections in other parts of the country, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is...
Trump administration finds SNAP fraud

Trump administration finds SNAP fraud

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to root out fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as...

WATCH: Trump says tariffs may cost Americans ‘something’ but keep U.S. safe

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday Americans should be thankful for his tariffs, which he said he has used to end wars that Americans would otherwise...
Chicago mayor: IL legislature has 'more work to do' on tax increases

Chicago mayor: IL legislature has ‘more work to do’ on tax increases

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to see more tax increases from the Illinois General Assembly, but a...
Chicago pension, debt services costs among highest in country

Chicago pension, debt services costs among highest in country

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s budget has grown by nearly 40% since 2019 with the biggest increased expenditure going toward...
WATCH: DCFS still looking for missing children numbers; Pritzker on elections results

WATCH: DCFS still looking for missing children numbers; Pritzker on elections results

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions; Garcia explains retirement decision

Illinois quick hits: DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions; Garcia explains retirement decision

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago has issued a temporary restraining order directing...
Congressional Perks: Luxury cars and mileage result in big costs for taxpayers

Congressional Perks: Luxury cars and mileage result in big costs for taxpayers

By Arthur Kane | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Reps Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and David Scott, D-Ga., have each had taxpayers pay as much as...
Frankfort School District 157-C.2

State Assessment Shake-up: Frankfort 157-C to Form Committee for New Honors Criteria

Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: Frankfort School District 157-C is adapting to new, less restrictive student assessment benchmarks from the Illinois State Board of Education...