Latest news with #IllinoisCentralCollege
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
On the Record: How to prevent wage garnishment for defaulted student loans
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Student loan payments are officially back after the extended pandemic pause, but this time, missing a payment could cost you more than just accumulating interest. A new federal policy allows the government to subject borrowers in default to wage garnishment, sparking concern among students and recent graduates across the country, including here in Central Illinois. 'It's definitely raising concern, especially among students who are juggling jobs and bills. But the good news is you can take action now to avoid it,' said Jon Neidy, vice president of student success at Illinois Central College. Wage garnishment is when money is taken from someone's paycheck, often by court order, to pay off debts like child support, taxes, and now, student loans. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 5.3 million borrowers are in default. Only 38% of borrowers are in repayment and current on their student loans. 'Community college students are often balancing school work and family responsibilities with a policy like this. If borrowers don't have the right information, it could really hit them the hardest. That's why access to clear guidance and affordable repayment plans is critical,' he said. At ICC, Neidy said they prioritize helping students avoid loan default. This year, ICC added a financial aid navigator, who helps students identify ways to pay for college, with loans typically being the last option. 'We help students understand borrowing before they ever take out a loan. And we follow up regularly through their time with us. We have a strong financial team committed to students and their success,' he said. Students are encouraged to regularly check their loan status at and take advantage of the guidance provided to avoid falling into default. 'If you're in default, don't panic. Contact the default resolution group or get into an income-driven repayment plan,' said Neidy. 'The worst thing you can do is ignore it. Help is available and taking that first step can protect you and your paycheck in the future.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Central College holds 2025 Graduation ceremony
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Illinois Central College honored 2,243 graduates during its 2025 commencement ceremony held Saturday at the Peoria Civic Center. The event was open to the public and livestreamed on the college's website, allowing family and friends to join the celebration from near and far. The ceremony featured remarks from ICC President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, who praised the graduating class for their resilience and accomplishments. Student speaker Keiton Hamilton shared personal reflections and celebrated the collective journey of the Class of 2025. Delivering the keynote address was Doug Oberhelman, retired CEO of Caterpillar, who encouraged graduates to pursue their goals with confidence and integrity, drawing from his decades of experience in global leadership. Graduate Allanah McCoy reflected on the challenges she overcame to reach this milestone. 'I worked pretty much full time too, and going to school was really hard,' McCoy said. 'So just like my days were really long all the time, but I'm finally here, so it's worth it,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois Community Colleges see increase in enrollment
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — Gov. JB Pritzker announced that Community Collages across the state of Illinois have seen an increase in enrollment since this time last year. Enrollment in Illinois Community Colleges this spring increased 8.9% compared to last spring, a news release from Pritzker's Office stated. This is one of the largest spring-to-spring increases the Illinois Community College Board has seen since it started keeping records in the 1990s. 'With the largest Spring-to-Spring enrollment increase and the third straight year of growth, our community colleges have not only bounced back from the pandemic – they are now stronger than ever thanks to our historic investments in education,' Pritzker said. 'We are the home to the third-largest community college system in the nation, and we want to continue seeing growth and opportunity for working families by making higher education more affordable and accessible for students across the state.' Illinois Central College sees fourth consecutive semester of increased admissions Pritzker said that expanding access to affordable education strengthens the state's workforce and creates more economic opportunities for residents. The number of students has also passed 283,000, which brings the number of students enrolled above pre-pandemic levels, according to the Spring 2025 Enrollment Report. The report also states that 40 of 45 community colleges across the state saw an increase in students since last year. Duel credit programs, which allow high school students to earn college credit, increased 19.8% from last year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Ali reflects on first term, goals for second term if re-elected
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria Mayor Rita Ali is hoping to build on her accomplishments in a second term. And she's excited for what is on the horizon. While her administration is making strides, there is still a long way to go. Among her priorities are working to bring Amtrak services to Peoria and improving the housing stock within the city. There's also the Riverfront Development Plan which was unveiled nearly two years ago and requires at least $15 million and possibly more to revamp and redo the area along the Illinois River. 'We've made a lot of improvements, and we have a ways to go. So we have a new five-year strategic plan that I want to see through,' said Ali. She hopes voters will agree and pick her in both February and then in April. City voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Feb. 25, for the primary election. The two people who get the highest vote totals will then square off for a winner-takes-all in the April general election. Ali was the first African American to serve as the city's mayor when she ran in 2021. At the time, she was on the council, as was her opponent. Before that, she was the vice president of workforce and diversity at Illinois Central College before retiring. The strategic plan prioritizes affordable housing, reducing crime and investing in Downtown Peoria. 'Part of our strategic plan is to revitalize Downtown and a thriving Downtown to create a thriving city. We have made investments in businesses, over 350 businesses, small businesses got grants from the city to help to sustain them, help to grow them and provide support for their development. So, we want to continue that,' she said. She thinks that a grocery store and a pharmacy are on the way and the more housing that is available in Downtown, the more people will come. Improving housing is also something she's hopeful will keep occurring in South Peoria, an area that has needed newer stock for years. With the redevelopment of the old McKinley School property and other areas like the Churchview Gardens development near St. Ann's Catholic Church, she's excited for what is happening. The improved housing will help to sustain the pharmacies and grocery stores that are needed in those areas. When it comes to reducing gun violence in the city, Ali said her administration is making progress by giving police the tools they need to solve crimes, like license plate readers. She also convened the Safety Network, comprised of community leaders, police, schools and clergy, to come up with solutions. She's proud of the organization which started with 50 people and has grown over the years. 'I'm very proud of that. It has grown to more than 150 people, who working together with the police to reduce crime in Peoria,' she said. It's that collaborative effort that will build dividends, she adds. 'We've seen violent crime come down between 2023 and 2024 significantly in the areas of reducing gunshot victims, gunshots in reducing murders, overall murders,' she said. Under her leadership, she said, the police department has gotten high-tech tools to help solve crime which she says will improve the overall perception of the city. As the rate increases, the sense that Peoria isn't safe will go down, something she says is already happening. Another facet is the improved interventions that are occurring both in the community and in the criminal justice system which she says will do two things — create consequences for bad acts but also find ways to help children before they reach a certain point. Giving teens a way to break the cycle of violence is important. Ali points to her Mayor's Youth Internship Program, which she created for 14 and 15-year-olds, as proof that things are working. 'We have to work with the families, work with the children to put them on the right path. I gave them a summer job and they work at various not-for-profits and government agencies around the city. We also coach them once a week,' she said. 'They have a session where we bring in speakers and talk to them about their careers and opportunities. Then if they finish the program successfully, they're invited to come back the next summer.' She, like nearly everyone around the Horseshoe, is in favor of having land-based gaming in Peoria. Should the owners of the Par-A-Dice riverboat casino opt to build a casino on land, she says it'll be here based upon the 1991 agreement that brought riverboat gaming to the area. 'It will improve our economic stability tremendously. It will bring new people to visit our city from all over. I'm excited about the opportunity,' she said. Under her leadership, the city has invested $100 million in infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Ali said there is more to come in a second term. 'This year, we're going to invest over $88 million in infrastructure. It's not just one part of the city, like the north part of the city, the newer parts of the city. It includes the older parts of the city as well. So I want to continue the work that has been started in this first term and continue that over the next four years,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peoria Train Fair returns to Central Illinois
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — All aboard the Peoria Train Fair at Illinois Central College in East Peoria. The event had more than 100 tables set up and 41 vendors on Sunday. People learned about trains, checked out model train displays and bought some cool train collectibles. The event was hosted by Pekin's River City Model Railroad Club and included train entertainment such as movies and books, as well as having memorabilia and railroad parts and supplies for event goers to purchase. Don MacGregor with the club said it's all about letting your imagination run wild. 'Looking at a train, thinking it's real and imagining that I'm on that train. And in some cases, I have been on that train. The models that I have are some of the ones I've ridden. And that's what it is. I mean, it's imagination. And you just always want to know where it's going or where it's coming from, you know,' said MacGregor. The next Peoria Train Fair will be held on Nov. 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
