July 2004
Dems withdraw petition protest
URBANA – The attorney representing Democratic objections to a Socialist Equality Party candidate in the 103rd House District has withdrawn those objections.
Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden confirmed that objections to the candidate's petitions were officially withdrawn at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, allowing Tom Mackaman a place on the ballot against Democratic incumbent Naomi Jakobsson of Urbana and Republican candidate Deb Feinen of Champaign.
District plans to raise scores
DANVILLE – According to Illinois State Board of Education reports, three Danville schools failed to hit the mark on all-important 2003 standardized tests.
But Danville Associate Superintendent Mark Denman said plans are in place to improve Illinois Standards Achievement Test scores at Danville High School, South View Middle School and East Park Elementary School – the three schools that didn't measure up – and at all schools in the Danville district.
Union workers walk picket line
DANVILLE – A steady rain greeted the first day of picketing as probation officers, bailiffs and circuit clerk's office staff went on strike Friday.
The Vermilion County Courthouse workers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, voted down the county's modified contract proposal July 21. The county's latest offer included a 9 percent raise over three years with the first year's raise larger than the second and third.
Becoming Americans
URBANA – Escape from a war-torn homeland, a chance at love and hope for a better life through higher education were among the reasons why 96 people from 36 countries became American citizens Friday afternoon at The Carle Forum.
Magistrate Judge David Bernthal hosted the naturalization ceremony while family and friends looked on.
No Illini stories today
The summer session for Illini SportsFacts began on May 1. During the summer, we do not guarantee that there will be stories every day, as the University of Illinois is not in session and reporters take vacations.
It is for that reason, that regular subscribers to SportsFacts receive the summer at no charge.
Today is one of those rare days when there are no Illini stories.
Urbana principal to take on testing
URBANA – Leal School Principal Becky McCabe has taken a leave of absence for a semester to work at the Illinois State Board of Education with standardized assessment testing.
In her absence, Bridget Maloney, a first-grade teacher at Leal, will serve as acting principal. "We talk every day on the phone, she has the energy and she knows the kids," said McCabe of Maloney.
Board upgrades status of some schools
CHAMPAIGN – The state's final list showing which schools in Illinois made adequate yearly progress has been released, and the status of several local schools has improved.
However, five elementary schools, all three middle schools and both high schools in Champaign failed to achieve adequate progress status, a key indicator for funding purposes because it's tied to federal No Child Left Behind requirements that figure into funding schools receive.
Former Illini Schumacher hoping to cash in
BOURBONNAIS – In two days at Chicago Bears training camp, Jerry Schumacher probably has done more standing around and squeezing a bottle full of water into his mouth than practicing.
He''s not hurt, not even sick. The former Illinois linebacker is deep on the Bears'' depth chart.
TIMES Center drops emergency designation
CHAMPAIGN – Officially, the TIMES Center in downtown Champaign is no longer an "emergency" homeless shelter, a change forced by new state funding regulations.
The "E" in its acronym now stands for "empowerment," as in "Transitional Initiatives and Men's Empowerment Services."
Beutjer, Brown get scare after tumble
Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer and point guard Dee Brown sustained minor injuries in a golf cart accident Thursday at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes free sports day camp at Centennial.
The players were taken by ambulance to Carle Foundation Hospital. Each required stitches, Beutjer to his leg and Brown to his elbow. They were treated and released.
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