(The Center Square) – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has announced a record-breaking first-year class for the third straight year.
School officials said freshman enrollment for fall 2026 grew to 9,332 and brought total student enrollment to 61,060 students, topping the 61,000-mark for the first time in university history.
STATE WAIVES NOTARY COMMISSION FEE
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says a new two-year waiver that took effect on July 27 will eliminate an additional fee for notaries who provide electronic notarization services, although electronic notarial acts remain subject to fees established by state law.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, 137 applications for notary public and electronic notary commissions had been submitted as of Wednesday, resulting in nearly $3,500 in waived fees.
ILLINOIS SEEKS STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER
The Illinois Supreme Court is inviting applications from individuals interested in serving as the initial state public defender, a new chief executive position overseeing an independent agency within the judicial branch.
A statement from the court said the person selected would be the state’s leading advocate for Illinois’ public defenders and for the constitutional rights of people charged with offenses and represented by the state’s public defense system.
CHICAGO LAUNCHES PORTAL FOR FEDERALLY-FUNDED DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Chicago officials have launched a disaster relief application portal for eligible residents impacted by severe storm damage in 2023 and 2024.
The Disaster Relief Assistance Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
According to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office, the program will distribute a total of $15 million across the city. Qualifying households may receive up to $15,000 in relief.