Sangamon Sun

Forbes has recognized the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) as an "AI powerhouse" in artificial intelligence engineering. AI combines specialized hardware and software to use Big Data for creating interactive content with humans. The advancement of AI machinery and programming presents a new challenge for a campus historically known for its engineering feats. Many UIUC graduates, including industry leaders and CEOs linked to Silicon Valley, are now actively involved in AI research and development.

This week, Forbes highlighted the connection between UIUC graduate Thomas Siebel, founder/CEO of C3.ai, Inc., and the university. A $50 million donation from Siebel has transformed the former Department of Computer Science into the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science. The school is forming active partnerships with the University of California/Berkeley, Microsoft, and IBM. IBM's CEO Arvind Krishna is also a UIUC alumnus.

The Illinois State Board of Education recently announced that starting next spring, high school students will take the ACT exam instead of the SAT for their annual state assessments. Both standardized tests measure proficiency in core subjects such as English language arts and math and are used for college admissions and scholarship applications. Illinois uses these exams to meet federal mandates under the Every Student Succeeds Act, reporting results annually on the Illinois Report Card to hold schools accountable for academic standards.

Illinois began using the SAT with Essay as its state assessment for 11th-grade students in spring 2017, followed by implementing PSAT exams for 9th- and 10th-grade students two years later.

A $334 million federal grant has been announced for Belvidere Assembly Plant in Boone County. Originally opened by Chrysler Corporation in 1965, Stellantis announced its indefinite closure in December 2022 due to changing production demands but plans to reopen it were revealed in November 2023 with a focus on electric-powered Ram pickup trucks. The reopening aligns with support from local workers and national forces advocating for electric vehicles. Financing includes aid from the REV-IL Act alongside the federal grant specifically tied to EV manufacturing.

In preparation for Route 66's centennial in 2026, the Illinois State Museum is collecting oral histories related to this iconic highway decommissioned in 1985. The museum seeks stories from people who drove on Route 66 or operated businesses along it—such as restaurants, hotels, or auto services—and those who built or maintained it. First responders stationed along Route 66 are also invited to share their experiences.

Volunteers may be interviewed and video-recorded; their stories could be posted online to share globally as part of efforts recognizing Illinois as a key state along historic Route 66.