217 Today: Students at Illinois’ for-profits colleges often leave worse off than when they started

Nikka Ewing said she has applied to many jobs but has yet to be hired. In the meantime, she has been driving for Uber Eats to make ends meet. “I can’t keep living like this,” Ewing said.

Friday, June 28, 2024

Today’s headlines:

  • Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois blasted former president Donald Trump following last night’s debate on CNN.
  • Independence Day celebrations are starting early this weekend with firework displays and events around central Illinois.
  • Two Illinois lawmakers say they weren’t involved in the opening of two state-run migrant shelters on Chicago’s South Side.
  • Two Illinois U.S. Representatives are asking the federal government to review the sale of a stake in a Mississippi River grain operation to a company affiliated with the Chinese government.
  • Attorneys and friends of a man who was locked up at Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois believe poor conditions at the aging prison contributed to his death.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a recent investigation that found students at Illinois’ for-profit colleges often leave with debt or jobs with low wages.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Adriana Cardona Maguigad, Will Bauer, Lauren Frost and Lisa Kurian Philip.

Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.