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Illinois community colleges see highest career and technical education enrollment growth in nine years
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Enrollment in career and technical education programs at Illinois community colleges is up nearly 6% this fall, reaching its highest level in nine years as more students turn to career-focused training and education.
CTE enrollment has increased every year since fall 2022, growing 26.1% over that period. The programs now account for 27.7% of all community college enrollment statewide, with 75,208 students pursuing training designed to prepare them for careers in high-demand industries.
Statewide community college enrollment totaled 271,845 students in fall 2026, a slight 0.7% decrease from fall 2025 following four years of growth. Despite the decline, enrollment remains 0.2% above pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the system’s sustained recovery and the enduring demand for accessible, affordable higher education across Illinois.
Kaskaskia: Illinois’ first capital
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Did you know that Springfield is actually Illinois’ third capital city?
When Illinois became a state in 1818, its first capital was the city of Kaskaskia. Illinois’ statehouse in Kaskaskia was a two-story building that the government rented, with the House of Representatives meeting on one floor and the Senate on the other.
History of Illinois auto industry
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From humble beginnings to hosting several of the world’s best automobile manufacturers, Illinois has had a major stake in the history of the auto industry as it has evolved throughout the years.
In the late 19th century the Chicago Times-Herald announced a $5,000 prize for a round-trip race between Chicago and Evanston in 1895. Despite a snowstorm that blanketed the area just days before, two cars managed to complete the race. This event, which also featured possibly the nation’s first auto show with 12 exhibited automobiles, marked the early days of Illinois’ history with automobiles.
As the 19th century drew to a close, a minimum of 22 local enterprises had been founded to fabricate horseless carriages, and a dozen of these successfully transitioned to full-scale production. Despite never surpassing Detroit as the foremost auto hub, Chicago emerged as a significant epicenter for automobile manufacturing, hosting 28 companies that collectively brought forth 68 distinct car models in the early 1900s.
Illinois public universities see highest enrollment in over a decade
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For the third consecutive year, public universities in Illinois have seen increased enrollment with more than 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2026-27 academic year. This is the highest enrollment since 2015.
Total student enrollment across Illinois’ 12 public universities increased to 190,114 students, up 287 students from last year.
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