CHAMPAIGN - With his teammates, several Illinois staff members and a couple of cameramen surrounding him while clapping and bellowing words of encouragement, Kendrick Green stepped up to the squat rack and took several, deep puffs of air.

PEORIA -- Bradley baseball senior shortstop and native Peorian Luke Shadid has been chosen as the 67th recipient of the Charles Orsborn Award, the most prestigious honor BU bestows upon a graduating senior athlete.

PEORIA - "It was good to finally be free.""Being around people was great.""Just felt right.""I'm not afraid."Those were just some of the comments from people who ventured out on the first day of the Phase 3 reopening that saw nonessential businesses welcome customers.

MORTON -- The Morton School District has rehired 14 administrators for the 2020-21 school year and given each a 3% salary increase.

As Illinois moved into the next phase of reopening on Friday, state public health officials stressed continued vigilance among residents as they gather for outdoor dining, church services and other activities.