Latest news with #EasternIllinoisUniversity
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
North Boone Unified Track & Field Team wins state championship
POPLAR GROVE, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — A big shoutout to North Boone High School's Unified Track & Field Team. Thursday, the team won the State Unified Track & Field Meet for Class 1A at Eastern Illinois is the fourth time North Boone has won the State meet is run by the Special Olympics. Unified teams combine athletes with and without intellectual disabilities. They are also co-ed teams. The goal is to promote social inclusion, friendship and job North Boone! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
10-05-2025
- General
- Axios
Young men are leading a religious resurgence
Christianity is starting to make a comeback in the U.S. and other western countries, led by young people. Why it matters: A decades-long decline has stalled, shaping the future of Gen Z, the drivers of the religion revival. 'We've seen the plateau of non-religion in America,' says Ryan Burge, a political scientist at Eastern Illinois University. 'Gen Z is not that much less religious than their parents, and that's a big deal.' By the numbers: Data from Pew shows that, for decades, each age group has been less Christian than the one before it. Americans born in the 1970s are 63% Christian. 1980s babies are 53% Christian, and 1990s babies are 46% Christian. But there was no decline from the 1990s to the 2000s. Americans born in the 2000s are also 46% Christian. Stunning stat: Gen Z-ers — especially Gen Z men — are actually more likely to attend weekly religious services than millennials and even some younger Gen X-ers, Burge's analysis shows. Between the lines: Young men are leading American's religion resurgence. Within older generations, there's a consistent gender gap among Christians, with women more likely to be religious than men. Within Gen Z, the gap has closed, as young men join the church and young women leave it. If the current trajectory sticks, the gender gap will flip. Zoom in: Many young people have turned to religion to find community and connection after the isolating years of the pandemic, which hit Gen Z harder than most. In some ways, this trend mirrors men's shift to the political right. "Religion is coded right, and coded more traditionalist" for young people, Derek Rishmawy, who leads a ministry at UC Irvine, told The New York Times. Plus, for some young men, Christianity is seen as "one institution that isn't initially and formally skeptical of them as a class," Rishmawy told the Times. Zoom out: The resurgence is global. 'In France, the Catholic Church has baptized more than 17,000 people, the highest yearly number of entrants in over 20 years,' New York Times columnist David Brooks writes. The share of British people between 18 to 24 who attend church at least monthly jumped from 4% in 2018 to 16% today, including 21% gain among young men, according to research from the Bible Society. What to watch: The deepening gender divide within America's religion revival could have broader consequences for young people, Burge says.
Fox News
29-04-2025
- General
- Fox News
PASTOR COREY BROOKS: A special South Side of Chicago success story
Several years ago, a young man by the name of Devin Howard came to my non-profit, Project H.O.O.D., on the South Side of Chicago. Like most kids around here, Devin grew up in a world of violence and poverty where one wrong turn or false move can have dire consequences. However, Devin always had the strong inner drive to become a somebody. He went to school at nearby Urban Prep where he played football and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. He then went on to Eastern Illinois University where his goal was to become a nurse. But something wasn't right. School wasn't working for him and he wasn't interested in nursing. So, he left and returned to my neighborhood where he potentially jeopardized his future by putting himself back in the danger zone. He even made the rash decision to join the Navy only to back out on the day he was to ship out. Was Devin yet another lost soul? Would he find his fire, his passion? Or would the neighborhood consume him? But Devin kept searching and when he came to me the first thing he said was, "I hear you have a carpentry program." I told him that we did and that he was more than welcome to apply. I created this program because I believe in the trades as a way out. I went to college myself, but I know it's not for everybody. I saw a lot of people drop out and there were no trade classes around to break their fall. Whenever I drive by a construction site, I wonder if Devin is managing it — what a wonderful feeling. There's something magical about working with ones' hands and creating something. It's not for everyone but we've long denied our youth the opportunity of learning the craft of a trade and taking tremendous pride in it. Devin quickly rose to the top of his construction class, never missing a day. As he earned certification after certification, he met a man by the name of Bill who was the CEO of Reed Construction. Devin got Bill's business card. Then the pandemic struck, dashing Devin's job search. He thought of quitting. But one day when he was cleaning out his room, he came upon Bill's card and left him a voice message. Bill called back that same day and wound up offering him the job of project engineer. This was supposed to be a boy who ended up in the gangs or on the streets. Now, he had a job that he was passionate about. That is why I believe so much in the trades and will make it a featured part of the community center I am building right now. It heartens me to know that many other Americans have also come to believe in the trades as a way forward. Recently, I listened to Jan Jekielek interview Mike Rowe about how New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South Dakota are reviving the trades in schools. Rowe said, "They've got a giant campaign to get shop class back in schools…welding, electricians, HVAC, plumbing, woodworking, automotive repair." I wish they would come to Illinois since I cannot keep up with the demand for trades. I know rebuilding the trades infrastructure and community is the key to a better America. Not long after he was hired, Devin was promoted to project manager and now sees multiple projects across the city. Whenever I drive by a construction site, I wonder if Devin is managing it — what a wonderful feeling. I recently asked him to come and speak to the graduating class of electricians. He said something that I, and most people in that room, will never forget: "Poverty ran my family until it ran into me."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EIU leaders warn staff of potential funding cuts
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Some faculty members at Eastern Illinois University are worried their programs could be on the chopping block. Staff members received an email from Jay Gatrell, EIU's President, explaining the possible cuts the school may face. The University is reviewing federally funded programs such as WEIU Broadcasting Services, TRIO Programs and selected State of Illinois grants and contracts. 'We serve those students who are first generation, low-income, or students with a documented disability,' Maggie Burkhead, EIU's TRIO Director, explained. 'We're providing services like tutoring, study skills workshops, and time management.' But if the Department of Education is dissolved, she's worried their money will disappear. The White House said the move to close it would improve programs in higher education. At EIU, there's no guarantee funding will continue. 'How we could be hurt by funding is not getting the increase we're seeking,' Burkhead said. 'If the administration doesn't put money in the budget.' U of I Soybean Innovation Lab saved with $1 million anonymous donation Those involved in TRIO programs aren't the only people concerned about potential cuts. Some student journalists and staff members at WEIU are worried their studio may be in the dark. 'They learn about dealing with community, representing community, and what journalism is supposed to be,' Susan Kaufman, WEIU's former news and public affairs director, said. She's experienced cuts in past newsrooms before. 'The private versus public sector has always been a problem; there have always been attempts to cut it,' Kaufman said. She hopes the lights can stay on, so students have a platform to learn, grow and share balanced stories of society. Meanwhile, Burkhead remains optimistic and hopes grants get approved so students continue receiving support. 'It's important because they're going to be taxpaying citizens and help move the economy,' she said. Federal immigration crackdown starting to affect U of I students Regarding TRIO, Burkhead hopes to learn if grant money is approved in June. The nearly $300,000 would help programs stay afloat. The current money ends on August 31st. In a statement, the University said: 'EIU joins other higher education institutions across the nation in reviewing the potential impact of cuts to federal grants.' Eastern Illinois University Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US Sen. Dick Durbin's retirement opens the floodgates for a number of potential successors
With his announcement Wednesday that he would not seek reelection next year, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin set into motion an upheaval of Democratic politics involving current officeholders looking at the potential risks and rewards of seeking a coveted U.S. Senate seat and its potential for long-term job security. Even before Durbin's long-awaited decision, a behind-the-scenes Democratic primary was underway by at least four current elected officials. But now that Durbin has made it official, additional contenders are likely to surface after they scrutinize their chances. U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Robin Kelly of Matteson, Lauren Underwood of Naperville and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton have been adding political staff, making contacts and creating schedules to take them around the state to gain much-needed name recognition as they awaited Durbin's decision. On Thursday, one day after Durbin's announcement, Krishnamoorthi is scheduled to launch from Chicago a tour to central Illinois to warn of the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs on small businesses and families. And Kelly is set to hold an afternoon 'town hall' on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, in the heavily GOP congressional district of far-right U.S. Rep. Mary Miller. Three-term Democratic state Treasurer Michael Frerichs said he is weighing a bid for Durbin's seat and other Democrats have floated the names of first-term Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Sen. Robert Peters of Chicago and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has been looking for a reentry into Democratic politics and policy. Emanuel, a former congressman, White House chief of staff and ambassador to Japan, prefers an executive rather than legislative post and is unlikely to seek Durbin's seat, those close to him say. For statewide officeholders, a run for the Senate creates a disadvantage since money in their state campaign funds cannot be converted for use in a federal campaign, which has stricter fundraising restrictions. That means starting a fundraising operation anew. Frerichs, who formerly lived in Champaign but now lives in Chicago, hailed Durbin as 'an important mentor and friend' and said he was 'considering how I can continue to best serve the people of Illinois.' That, he said, included 'having conversations with my family.' Stratton, the lieutenant governor, has been spending down her state campaign fund by doling out more than $98,000 in digital advertising that could be viewed as a way to increase her name recognition for a Senate run. In a social media post, Stratton hailed Durbin's career while vowing to 'work hard to carry on his legacy of delivering real solutions for the middle class.' Giannoulias made an unsuccessful run for the Senate against Mark Kirk in 2010, the last Republican to hold the office. Kirk was defeated after one term by Democrat Tammy Duckworth, who was reelected in 2022. Giannoulias proved to be a strong fundraiser in his Senate bid but he is also considering making a bid for Chicago mayor in 2027. Among the potential U.S. House Democrats considering a Senate contest, Krishnamoorthi, who has served five terms, had a federal campaign war chest of $19.4 million as of April 1. 'A champion for everyday families and an unyielding advocate for the underdog, Sen. Durbin represents the true meaning of public service,' Krishnamoorthi said on social media. 'Over the next two years, I know he will continue to fiercely advocate for our state, and I will be honored to fight alongside him as we continue to deliver for Illinois.' Kelly, who has served in the House since 2013, had more than $2 million in her campaign bank account as of April 1. 'Sen. Durbin has always served with integrity and common sense, and I am one of millions of Illinoisans who are grateful for his leadership during challenging times,' she said on social media. The four-term Underwood has $1.1 million in cash on hand at the start of April, records show. She called Durbin a 'generous and thoughtful leader.' 'As a steady force for good, Sen. Durbin always dedicates himself not just to our state, but the country,' she said. 'I'm so grateful for his decades of service which has made life better for millions of people.' If the prospective congressional candidates and statewide elected officers ran for Durbin's seat, that, in turn, would create a chorus of candidates from the General Assembly and elsewhere seeking to run for open U.S. House seats. While the eventual Democratic nominee is expected to have the advantage in a state where party members have held all statewide elected offices since 2019, Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Peoria acknowledged Wednesday he was considering a Senate bid. LaHood, the son of former longtime GOP congressman and Obama transportation secretary Ray LaHood, had nearly $5.9 million in his federal campaign fund as of April 1. One of only three House Republicans in Illinois' congressional delegation, LaHood has served since 2015 in Congress and has been a strong supporter of President Trump. A statement from Jake Ford, LaHood's political director, said Durbin's retirement was 'long overdue' and that the senator served as 'the face of Washington dysfunction.' 'Illinoisans are ready to turn the page. Voters are tired of out-of-touch liberal policies that have failed working families, and prioritized illegal immigrants and far-left ideological agendas over hard working American taxpayers,' Ford said in touting LaHood's 'strong support from voters.' LaHood has benefited by congressional maps drawn by legislative Democrats that sought to pack Republicans into as few GOP-majority districts as possible while maximizing Democratic representation from Illinois in the House. 'As the 2026 election approaches, congressman LaHood remains focused on delivering conservative leadership for all Illinoisans that offers a clear alternative to the failed liberal policies driving families and businesses out of Illinois,' Ford said.
