Elgin Community College resorted to covering the surveillance cameras with trash bags and zip ties. Public records show that federal immigration authorities have accessed Flock data at other Illinois colleges.
Lisa Kurian Philip
WBEZ
Higher education reporter for WBEZ Chicago in partnership with Open Campus.
Posted inChicago
5 public universities in Illinois use Flock surveillance cameras on campus, records show
The list includes the state’s two largest public campuses, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago. Altogether, the five universities have spent nearly half a million dollars on AI-powered surveillance services from Flock.
Posted inChicago
Colleges scramble after court strikes down in-state tuition for Illinois undocumented students
The decision threatens college access for thousands of immigrant students. Illinois college officials want guidance from the state on what comes next.
Posted inChicago
Illinois Institute of Technology cuts 160 faculty and staff just before fall semester
University officials say finances have taken a hit from declines in research funding and foreign student enrollment. Faculty say leaders’ slow response and lack of transparency have deepened the crisis.
Posted inChicago
Illinois colleges failing to protect immigrant students despite new law, analysis finds
Advocates have touted the Illinois law that applies to public colleges as a model, but some colleges don’t make it easy to find information and don’t have protocols for what to do if immigration agents come on campus.
Posted inRace and Equity
Mentors can make the difference for young Black men in college. Here’s how to be a good one.
Mentors, especially those who are Black and male-identifying, can help students with challenges like juggling work and class and finding community on campus.
Posted inChicago
Trans students felt threatened by this symbol of the far right. Why didn’t Northwestern intervene?
Campus leaders say they don’t police “The Rock” unless the content poses an immediate threat or is profane. The decision has some questioning whom administrators see as worthy of protection.
Posted inChicago
What to know if you’re one of 170,000 people in Illinois behind on student loans
The Trump administration is resuming withholding wages from student loan borrowers in default. Here are some steps you can take to prevent that.
Posted inChicago
In Austin, Black mentors are making college possible
Black men in the West Side community face some of the biggest hurdles to getting a degree. Just 1 out of 4 who make it to college graduate in six years
Posted inChicago
University of Illinois Chicago drops race, gender as factors in financial aid and faculty hiring
Some faculty see the changes as “voluntary capitulation” to the Trump administration. UIC leaders say they align with “current legal standards” and new University of Illinois System policy.