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McLean, IL · Education

Daily Illini

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UI professor, alum discuss $800,000 MacArthur Foundation grants

University alum Liangfang Zhang and professor in LAS Kaiyu Guan were each awarded an $800,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation for exemplary work and promising research within their fields late last month. Zhang, chancellor professor of nanoengineering and bioengineering and director of the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical...

Champaign, IL · 6d

thesportscast.net

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2026 IHSA Football Playoff Scores: First-Round Results, Winners and Class 1A–8A Updates

The 2026 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football playoffs are underway, with teams across Illinois competing for a chance to advance toward the state championship games. First-round action began Friday, October 30, with exciting matchups, dominant victories and close finishes across all eight classifications. Additional games are scheduled for Saturday,...

Illinois · 6d

regionalmedianews.com

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Abilities Plus Parents as Teachers Program Achieves National Blue Ribbon Status for Excellence

Abilities Plus Parents as Teachers Program Earns National Blue Ribbon Recognition. Abilities Plus is celebrating a significant national achievement after its Parents as Teachers Program was awarded Blue Ribbon Affiliate status, recognizing the organization for its high standards of quality and commitment to delivering evidence-based early childhood home visiting services. The recognition was announced October 30th by Parents as Teachers, the largest evidence-based early childhood home visiting program in the United States. The Blue Ribbon designation places Abilities Plus among the top-performing home visiting affiliates within the Parents as Teachers international network. The distinction recognizes programs that demonstrate excellence in quality service, organizational standards, and fidelity to the Parents as Teachers model.

Stark County, IL · 4d

wglt.org

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McLean County schools follow statewide improvement in graduation rates, proficiencies

Both Bloomington-Normal school districts improved their graduation rates in 2026, with District 87 showing major improvement since a year ago. Data from the Illinois School Report Card released Friday showed both Unit 5 and District 87 followed a statewide trend that resulted in a record-high statewide four-year graduation rate of 89.8%.

Mclean County, IL · 7d

25newsnow.com

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Aging buildings, student costs drive Illinois State University’s $517.5 million funding request

NORMAL (25News Now) - Illinois State University is seeking about $517.5 million in state funding for fiscal 2028 to support university operations, student aid and campus improvements. The university’s Board of Trustees approved the request Oct. 23 for submission to the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The request still needs...

Normal, IL · 7d

WMBD/WYZZ

partner publisher · 12.7K followers

Prep Football recap for Oct. 30, 2026; playoff action

Several high school football teams advanced through the first round of the IHSA playoffs, featuring dominant wins by Morton and Pekin alongside a dramatic comeback victory by Metamora.

Peoria, IL · 6d

dewittdailynews.com

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DeLand-Weldon Schools Suffer from New ISBE Report Card Method

The Illinois State Board of Education is taking a new approach to how they assign districts their yearly building designations. In years past, schools could have received one of three designations, the largest of which encompassed 85% of buildings. DeLand-Weldon Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Tresnak told the Hart Media Group on the WHOW Morning Show Friday that now there are five designations, which is having some negative effects on his data.

Weldon, IL · 7d

wglt.org

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ISU looking for contractor to build new South Campus residence hall and dining complex

Illinois State University is now looking to hire a general contractor to lead construction of a new on-campus residence hall and dining center. The South Campus residence hall would house up to 900 students, with a dining hall attached providing room for up to 425 students. Aondover Tarhule, president of Illinois State, said the extra space would ease pressures on campus — including potential needed renovations at existing residence halls.

Normal, IL · 8d

channel1450.com

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U-High Begins Title Defense With Tenth Straight Regional Crown

The University High Pioneers picked up a three set win against one of their cross town rivals to claim the program’s 10th straight regional championship. Bloomington Central Catholic won the first set 26-24, the Pioneers won the next two 25-20, 25-16 to advance to the 3A Decatur MacArthur sectional on Tuesday where they will play Mater Dei on Tuesday at 7 pm.

Bloomington, IL · 7d

The Edwardsville Intelligencer

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Edwardsville heads to No. 1 Normal Community after playoff win

The Tigers enter their toughest playoff test with momentum from three straight wins, while top-seeded Normal Community enters rested after a first-round bye.

Edwardsville, IL · 7d

statelinesportsnetwork.net

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Updated: One Year Later, a Push to Undo the Expanded IHSA Football Playoffs

Our legislative process will start on Monday. So, we won’t officially know if it makes the all-school ballot until November 23. If it does, the vote would occur from December 1-15. Results on the 16th. Matt Troha. Illinois High School Association. Associate Executive Director. Not so fast…. The expanded...

Illinois · 9d

dewittdailynews.com

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HS FBall: Monticello Blanks Olympia

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello marched 82 yards on its opening possession for a score and never looked back as they dominated Olympia in a 34-0 first-round Class 3A high school football game on Saturday in Monticello. The Sages were efficient from start to...

Monticello, IL · 6d

dewittdailynews.com

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National FFA Convention Holistic Experience for Cerro Gordo Students

A simple trip to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis earlier this month turned into an enriching learning experience for a group of Piatt County students. Cerro Gordo Schools Superintendent Dr. Emily Weidner indicates the FFA program’s annual trip to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis was quite the holistic learning experience.

Cerro Gordo, IL · 7d

The Register-Mail

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Stark County teacher earns prestigious Illinois State alumni honor

Leslie Rennick, a special education teacher at Stark County Elementary School in Wyoming, Illinois, was inducted into the Illinois State University College of Education Hall of Fame. Rennick was among seven alumni honored Oct. 23 during the college's annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, according to a community announcement. Rennick graduated from Illinois State in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in special education and also holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. She has spent her 23-year teaching career at Stark County Elementary School. Her work has included individualized instruction, specialized training in Orton-Gillingham instruction and collaboration with colleagues on accommodations for students. She also has developed learning experiences that connect students with the surrounding rural community. Rennick maintains relationships with students and families beyond the classroom and works to meet the individual needs of students, according to the announcement. In 2025, the Illinois State Board of Education named Rennick the Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year. She also mentors educators, advocates for the teaching profession and participates in statewide leadership opportunities. This story was produced by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing

Wyoming, IL · 8d

westpawprint.com

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#2 ranked Wildcats set to take on familiar Chatham Glenwood team in first round of IHSA 6A playoffs

Holding the highest playoff seed in program history is more pressure than most high school football teams feel all season. However, the Normal West Wildcats are calm and confident going into the postseason as the 6A No. 2 seed. Captains Nolan Howe, Chase Sennett, Cody Muhlbauer and Jordan Stovall give...

Normal, IL · 7d

High School On SI

partner publisher · 52.3K followers

Illinois High School Football Top 25 State Rankings (Oct. 27, 2026)

The Flyers remain at No. 1, while Lincoln-Way East, Brother Rice and Chicago Mt. Carmel headline a loaded field of contenders as Illinois teams turn their attention to the postseason.

Illinois · 9d

newschannel20.com

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2026 Illinois Report Card has been released

The 2026 Illinois Report Card has been released, and many schools have received great marks for their performance. Six Ball-Chatham schools did very well this year. Ball Elementary School, Chatham Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School, Glenwood Middle School, and Glenwood High School achieved Exemplary status, with Glenwood Intermediate School reaching Commendable status.

Illinois · 7d

Effingham Radio

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Local Sports Schedule For Saturday October 31st

9 Seed Abingdon-Avon (8-2) at 8 Seed Fisher (7-2) 1:00 P.M. 18 Seed Bridgeport Red Hill (5-5) at 2 Seed Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond (8-1) 1:00 P.M. 13 Seed Havana (7-3) at 4 Seed Sullivan (8-1) 2:00 P.M. 10 Seed Villa Grove-Heritage (7-3) at 7 Seed Catlin Salt Fork (7-2) 1:00 P.M. 22...

Hammond, IL · 7d

Total Pro Sports

partner publisher · 225.9K followers

Viral Map Reveals The Strangest High School Mascot Names In Every State & One Is Almost Too Ridiculous To Believe

How did this name even happen? The post Viral Map Reveals The Strangest High School Mascot Names In Every State & One Is Almost Too Ridiculous To Believe originally published on Total Pro Sports .

Hoopeston, IL · 9d

Journal Star

partner publisher · 22.7K followers

Playoff predictions: First round picks for Peoria-area high school football teams

It's the first round of the Illinois high school football season, and our predictions are in for the 2026 Illinois High School Association games around the Peoria area. These picks are for Peoria-area teams that held places in the 2026 Journal Star Prep Football Rankings . All games are Friday unless noted. Last week, the picks in this space went 12-2 (.857) and are 116-38 (.753) on the year. This year's records are in parentheses. 2026 IHSA playoff first round Peoria-area predictions Class 6A LaGrange Park Nazareth (5-5) at Dunlap (8-1), 1:30 p.m. Saturday NAZARETH 28, DUNLAP 27: These teams have never met in the playoffs. Six-time state champ Nazareth played one team with a losing record in 2026. Dunlap had a bye last week following a 16-point over Pekin in the regular-season finale. Running back Jayden Schmick rushed for three first-half touchdowns, finishing with four scores and 110 yards. Harvey Thornton (7-3) at Pekin (6-3), 7 p.m. PEKIN 35 , HARVEY THORNTON 27: Thornton last beat Pekin in the playoffs, 35-19, in the 2019 Class 7A first round. Pekin, which had a bye last week, looks to end a two-game skid, scoring a combined 34 points in those games.

Peoria, IL · 8d