Susan Stephens

Enthusiasm ran high on the campus of Northern Illinois University yesterday as the public met the school’s next president for the first time. The Board of Trustees hired 57-year-old Doug Baker from the University of Idaho to lead the school beginning July First.

Charges have been dropped against one of Northern Illinois University’s top financial officials. University controller Keith Jackson was charged last year with two felonies and one misdemeanor related to the so-called “coffee fund” scandal. 

Northern Illinois University officials are preparing to announce who their next leader will be. Although school representatives are being cryptic about the announcement, it could come as early as this week.

Illinois lawmakers have until June 9th to come up with a plan to allow the concealed carry of handguns in the state, by order of a federal court. There have been a number of public hearings on the issue, but so far, legislative maneuvers have kept any plan from advancing.

The search for the next president of Northern Illinois University moves forward today… behind closed doors at its Naperville campus. The school’s Board of Trustees will meet with four finalists, whose identities have not been disclosed.