Education

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.

Declining state funding for major public universities has the National Science Board concerned about the ability of the schools to carry out engineering research, while also providing an affordable education to a broad range of students. The Board's latest report says Illinois is a prime example.

Northern Illinois University President John Peters has told members of the university's board of trustees that the state is once again behind on payments.