Education

Governor Pat Quinn has signed a measure that will reduce Illinois' regional offices of education. To avoid elimination, offices must serve at least 61,000 residents. Whiteside County's population is under 59,000.

Five members of the embattled East St. Louis School Board filed motions this morning in St. Clair County Circuit Court asking a judge to reverse the state of Illinois' decision to have them removed.

The members argued in court documents that the unanimous Illinois State Board of Education vote Thursday was unconstitutional and infringed on the "fundamental right to vote."

For the first time in its history, the Illinois State Board of Education has taken over a public school district.

The board voted unanimously today to dissolve the seven-member elected board of the East St. Louis Public Schools and replace it with an appointed five-member oversight panel to run the school district.

The district already was under state financial oversight, and the board previously had entered an agreement giving a state consultant the final say over most decisions.

Dan Shea, an anthropology professor at Beloit College since 1968, died after a fall Tuesday night while on a research trip with students in Chile.

 Shea and five Beloit students arrived June 8 and were scheduled to remain in Chile until June 27. A Beloit College alumnus and an adjunct professor also were on the trip; they remain with the students at this time. Plans are being made for their return as soon as possible.