Education

McHenry County College will receive nearly $600,000 over three years from a U.S. Labor Department  grant to expand its manufacturing and robotics training programs. According to the McHenry County Labor Report of 2011, manufacturing is the largest employment sector of industry in McHenry County.

Rockford College trustees have approved changing the institution's name to Rockford University.  According to the school's website, work to fully complete the transition will be taking place from now until July 1, 2013 and the school will proceed with submitting all formal petitions for university designation to the State of Illinois and all accrediting agencies.

College Illinois is once again open for business. The state's troubled pre-paid tuition program had previously stopped selling contracts amid reports of financial mismanagement.