Illinois College will hold an in-person commencement for its graduates, though parents, friends and other guests will have to watch remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A news release from the Jacksonville school indicated the decision to limit the event to just students was a difficult one, but one made between college administration and student leaders from the Class of 2021.
Typically, commencement week activities can attract around 1,000 people from all over the world.
Graduating seniors will receive their diplomas during a senior celebration at King Fieldhouse in Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center on May 11. The ceremony will be livestreamed.
On May 16, the traditional baccalaureate service will premiere at 11 a.m. including readings, musical performances, and comments by members of the graduating class. At 1 p.m., viewers can tune in to the commencement ceremony as degrees are officially conferred upon the Class of 2021.
Dan Petrella
Chicago Tribune
Michael Madiganâs legal bills connected to an ongoing federal corruption probe skyrocketed in the first three months of this year as he was ousted from his longtime role as Illinois House speaker and resigned the legislative seat he occupied for a half-century.
Madiganâs main campaign fund, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, paid almost $2.7 million in legal fees to law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman from January through March, nearly $1 million more than he paid the firm in 2020, according to state campaign finance records.
Madigan, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, hired Katten last year to represent him in the federal corruption case, but a spokeswoman for the former speaker declined to comment Friday on the reason for his rising legal bills.
That experience will look a little different than past UIS graduations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students like Shaik, who is getting her master s degree in computer science, are being given the option of having an in-person “stage experience” days before a May 15 virtual commencement celebration.
Students were informed of the plan last week.
UIS degree candidates who book the “stage experience” will be able to walk across the Sangamon Auditorium stage to be congratulated by UIS Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney and UIS Provost Dennis Papini, who will be wearing full academic regalia.
The stage will be set up like it usually is for graduation, said Joan Sestak, the director of community and governmental relations in the chancellor s office and a co-chair of the commencement committee.
Zack Fedor joined up with Hipbone Sam back in January of 2016. As a few larger venues are able to open up as we experience an orderly lessening of the pandemic protocols around the state, a return to a music scene as we know it is in our foreseeable future. While we re waiting, how about checking out what we were doing a few years ago at this point in January? Kinda like making a Way-Back Machine move, for you fans of Mr. Peabody, or perhaps a Billy Pilgrim unstuck in time moment for followers of Kurt Vonnegut or even a
Back to the Future experience of sorts for the moviegoers among us. Buckle up and here we go.
The Black Caucus suggested Madigan gives lawmakers the best chance of passing an ambitious legislative agenda in response to the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement and civil unrest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.