Participants prepares for a past Morton Kiwanis boxcar derby. This yer’s race will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9, during Pumpkin Festival

STATE

New scholarships are incentives to keep college students in Illinois

The state has established new funding to entice students to stay in Illinois for college.

The AIM HIGH grant pilot program will provide at least $50 million in financial aid for merit-based scholarships. The state is providing $25 million in the current budget year. Universities are matching that amount.

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed the measure into law, which was passed by the General Assembly with nearly unanimous support. The new law is designed to help Illinois colleges compete with out-of-state institutions that offer more financial aid.

According to the governor’s office, undergraduate enrollment at Illinois’ public universities fell more than 8 percent, or by more than 5,000 students, between 2011 and 2016. For example, enrollment at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb declined more rapidly during that period, falling almost 4,000 students, more than 17 percent.

Following on the heels of the AIM HIGH grant program is the recent announcement that The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will offer free tuition to qualifying students.

Students whose combined household income is $61,000 or less can qualify for free tuition starting fall 2019. University officials said they hope the program, called Illinois Commitment, will help make attending the school more affordable for middle-income Illinois families.

PEKIN

Summer-ending fun fest slated for Sept. 7

Summer is ending, but not without some more fun. Pekin will present its annual Friday Night Family Fun Fest from 5-11 p.m. Sept. 7, as a prelude to its annual Marigold Festival. Downtown Court Street will be the site for live music by Stone Cold Cowboys, food served by several food trucks including The Pizza Guys Woodfired, Sam’s Chicago Style Hotdogs, Mike’s Knot Just Ribs and Heavenly Cream Ice Cream, and family fun including bounce houses and other children’s activities.

Movie focuses on local train history

The Pekin Public Library continues its 2018 movie series celebrating the Illinois Bicentennial with movies about local Pekin and Tazewell County history. The next movie in the series is “Pekin Trains: Team H (C. & I.M. train footage).” The 30-minute film will be shown at 11 a.m. Sept. 7, on the large movie screen in the Community Room of the library, 301 S. Fourth St. Admission is free.

MORTON

Kiwanis to hold annual boxcar derby

Morton’s boxcar derby will be held on Sept. 9, using boxcars that racers 1^st grade through 6^th grade may build themselves. Or, racers may use ones provided by the Morton Kiwanis Club. 

Those wishing to build their own cars can find a sample schematic on the Morton Pumpkin Festival’s website at mortonpumpkinfestival.org/boxcar-derby. Pay special attention to the “required” tire size. Soapbox cars are made with commonly available materials.

A prize will be awarded to the best homemade car as voted on by Key Club members. Registration will be held at 1 p.m., and the race will start at 1:30 at the corner of Plum and Washington streets. Entry fee is $5.

Racers will be divided into classes according to age, and double elimination brackets will ensure all contestants race twice. Prizes will be awarded for first- to third-place and a special award will be given for best homemade vehicle. All participants must wear a helmet. No one will be allowed to race without one.

For more information or to register, go to the website listed above or call 309-243-5384.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–