Illinois Quick Hits: University of Chicago to offer free tuition

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – University of Chicago, a private university, will begin to offer free tuition to families with an income less than $250,000 in the fall of 2027.

In addition to free tuition, all costs to attend the university – such as housing, meals and fees – will be covered for students with an annual income less than $125,000.

In a statement, U Chicago said nearly 90% of U.S. families will qualify under the new initiative, pending admission into an undergraduate program.

COMED BILLS TO SPIKE AN AVERAGE OF 12% IN JUNE

Electric bills for customers of ComEd are set to jump by an average 12% next month, according to new reporting from the Chicago Sun Times.

According to the utility, the reason for the rate increase is due to the expiration of a nuclear and renewable energy credit, and at least in part from increased demand from data centers.

Meanwhile, legislators in Springfield have continued talks to regulate data centers and their energy consumption this week.

NON-CITIZEN SENTENCED ONE YEAR FOR ASSAULT ON OFFICER

A man illegally residing in Aurora has been sentenced to one year in federal prison after he assaulted two Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers and a Kane County Sheriff’s Deputy executing a warrant for his arrest last July.

Francisco Acevedo-Caldera pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal employee early this year, and was sentenced last week, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

NONPROFIT FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING UNDER PROPOSED BILL

Under a proposed Illinois Senate bill from Sen. Chris Belt, D-East St. Louis, not-for-profit fire departments could receive new funding in the form of grants distributed by the state Fire Marshal in order to support their operation.

Most common in rural communities, these nonprofits would be able to use new funds to rehabilitate and build new stations.

The bill currently awaits action in the House.