Illinois quick hits: Universities report increased enrollment; man sentenced for pipe bombs

Illinois quick hits: Universities report increased enrollment; man sentenced for pipe bombs

September 10, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Universities report increased enrollment

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a total enrollment of more than 60,000 students for the first time in school history with a freshman enrollment of 9,207 for the fall semester.

Northern Illinois University reported a 4.3% increase enrollment for the fall, with a freshmen class that is 22% larger than last year.

Illinois State University’s enrollment is up 2%, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is up 7.7%.

Food borne illness reports

Despite reports of food borne illness declining in Illinois over several years, a new analysis of CDC data by Trace One found the state still had the 3rd highest count in the country.

Other takeaways from the analysis include nationwide, restaurants were the primary exposure setting and shellfish and poultry are often to blame.

Man sentenced for pipe bombs

A Collinsville man has been sentenced to almost four years in federal prison for making pipe bombs.

Jeremy Barr, 49, pleaded guilty in May to possessing a destructive device.

Prosecutors say Barr threatened lives near a Southern Illinois school with a device that could have caused serious injury or death.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Elon Poll says 2 in 3 proud to be American and Signers would be disappointed

Elon Poll says 2 in 3 proud to be American and Signers would be disappointed

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Sampling 1,000 adults nationwide ahead of America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, a poll released Tuesday finds 68% are proud to be American and 69%...
U.S. Supreme Court denies Florida request to sue over immigrant CDLs

U.S. Supreme Court denies Florida request to sue over immigrant CDLs

By Michael Carroll | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court last week swatted away a request from Florida to sue the states of California and Washington over allegations...
Beecher Village Graphic.1

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Village Board for May 11, 2026

Beecher Village Board Meeting | May 11, 2026 The Beecher Village Board worked through a meeting Monday, May 11, 2026, heavy on public works and event approvals. The board's two...
Judge says federal rule blocks Illinois from banning ‘swipe fees’

Judge says federal rule blocks Illinois from banning ‘swipe fees’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Federal law blocks the state of Illinois from prohibiting both banks from outside Illinois and payment card servicers, like Visa and Mastercard,...
Canadians, Brits stress U.S., Texas are key to shipbuilding

Canadians, Brits stress U.S., Texas are key to shipbuilding

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Canadian and British shipbuilding entrepreneurs on Monday explained why the U.S. and Texas are critical to national defense. The leaders of Davie Defense, Gulf Copper...
Tariff litigation expands as federal court weighs next move

Tariff litigation expands as federal court weighs next move

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Two new businesses have sued to block President Donald Trump's 10% tariffs, even as a federal appeals court considers whether to lift an injunction already...
Democrats dissatisfied by DOJ's pause on 'anti-weaponization fund'

Democrats dissatisfied by DOJ’s pause on ‘anti-weaponization fund’

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice is temporarily backing down from its plan to launch a $1.77 billion “anti-weaponization fund” after a federal judge issued a...
Hegseth calls allied defense 'bad deal for taxpayers' in budget push

Hegseth calls allied defense ‘bad deal for taxpayers’ in budget push

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon wants the largest nominal military budget in American history despite failing eight consecutive financial audits and continuing to face longstanding financial management challenges....
Pritzker touts state spending to cover federal cuts in passed budget

Pritzker touts state spending to cover federal cuts in passed budget

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Just hours after the state’s General Assembly wrapped its spring session, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared along...
I-95 quintuple fatal: Federal agency subpoenas state of New York

I-95 quintuple fatal: Federal agency subpoenas state of New York

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Failure to willingly cooperate by the state of New York has led to a subpoena for documents related to Jing Dong. The U.S Department of...
Illinois lawmakers give raises to diversity commissioners they criticized

Illinois lawmakers give raises to diversity commissioners they criticized

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State lawmakers failed to reform the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion this legislative session despite bipartisan...
Report: Credit card debt projected to decrease $61B

Report: Credit card debt projected to decrease $61B

By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square It is predicted that there will be a $61 billion decrease in credit card debt based on new data set to be released on Friday...
Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls

Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears stadium legislation is stalled after questions arose about a potentially unpopular tax structure and financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed...
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor

Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but...