Earning a bachelor’s degree takes hard work and dedication, and choosing the right school can be difficult. Online schools can be an incredible opportunity for students who are busy in other aspects of life and could use a more flexible schedule. University of Illinois Springfield has one of the best online schools in the nation, according to Forbes Advisor. UIS offers 52 online undergraduate and graduate programs, and currently has 1,961 students taking classes fully online. Fully online students make up almost 40% of the UIS student body.

The pandemic made online learning a more popular and suitable option for many students. While the pandemic also pointed out some of the challenges of online learning, UIS has wonderful and dedicated professors who work hard to provide the highest level of service to their students. UIS’s mission is to provide a uniquely student-centered educational experience both in and out of the classroom through active learning, meaningful research and impactful civic engagement that prepares graduates to contribute fully to society. Their online and hybrid class programs help them to achieve this mission. 

Online undergraduate programs include degrees such as Business, Computer Science, Political Science, Teaching and Psychology. Online graduate degrees at UIS comprise of Business, Cybersecurity Management, Education, Environmental Studies, Legal Studies and Public Health and Administration.

Forbes determined the best online colleges using a collection of data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Choosing the right college can be hard; it lays the groundwork for one’s future. UIS offers an affordable and flexible program that will set its students on the path to their dreams.

The Illinois Air National Guard joined six guard units in receiving the 2020 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, which serves as one of many means of validating the work and dedication of service members across the country.

Guard aviation units were first mobilized in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until 1947 that the National Security Act created the United States Air National Guard to respond to domestic and foreign conflict and crises. Since its inception, Air National Guard units have been comprised of driven individuals who take great pride in improving the lives of their communities and country through humanitarian efforts, disaster response and international defense.

The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of U.S. Air Force organizations and their activities. ILANG received this recognition because of the execution of its missions despite COVID-19 response operations, including civil disturbance missions, election support, flood operations and overseas missions. More than 700 members of the ILANG were mobilized in 2020 as part of the largest domestic operations activation in Illinois history. This is the third time ILANG has received the AFOEA, following awards in 1999 and 1986.

ILANG also engages in community service. Airmen volunteered with local organizations to expand health and wellness opportunities in addition to providing education services to communities statewide and donating goods to local libraries and homeless shelters. They also laid wreaths and flags at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield to honor the veterans buried there.

Information about the Illinois Air National Guard and its services can be located on its website.

Naperville, Illinois, ranks fifth on the list of the Most Festive Holiday Towns in the U.S. The list comes from SIXT, a rental car company which has locations globally and was recognized as the #3 Rental Car Company in the U.S. in the Condé Nast Travelers 2021 Readers’ Choice Award. SIXT’s third place ranking is the product of submitted responses from more than 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers rating their travel experiences across the world.

SIXT provides information regarding the best hotels, resorts and destinations that can be reached through their travel services. Among the list of experiences are recommendations for the best holiday towns in the country. Lights, festivals and other activities factor into the calculations that determine the charm of these holiday towns, and Naperville is now among the top competitors. Following towns in Missouri, New York and Texas, Illinois is recognized as a must-see destination for holiday cheer.

The snowfall in Naperville is authentic, whereas the snow in other ranked towns is manufactured. Its Christkindlmarket offers crafted decorations that mimic what one would expect to see in Santa’s workshop. The All-Seasons ice rink allows patrons to glide across the floor not only during the holidays, but also for figure skating, lessons and other parties and events. The suburban Chicago city’s attractions include parades, art shows and multicultural celebrations including observations of Diwali, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Ramadan.

A trip to Naperville is just as exciting outside the holidays. The bustling city frequently hosts a number of events, including fairs, live music festivals and community-wide activities. It is also home to the Riverwalk, which is considered the “crown jewel” of the town because of its beautiful view of the West Branch of the DuPage River. Additionally, Naperville is home to historical sites, museums and a plethora of local shops, thriving stores and restaurants.

Information about the teeming streets of Naperville can be found on the city’s website. Having been voted fifth most festive holiday town in the U.S., Naperville adds this recognition to its list of nationally competitive accomplishments, which can also be found here.

The American Kennel Club and the United States Police Canine Association have partnered to create the first ever AKC/USPAC K-9 Detection Dog Challenge, which will feature two Illinois K-9s. This national competition displays the intersection of the work of AKC, the world’s largest purebred dog registry, and the USPAC, the oldest and largest police canine organization in the nation.

The competition showcases the abilities and precision of the K-9s used for police activities, providing viewers with a glimpse of the training these dogs and handlers endure to ensure the protection of our country and its citizens. The event includes 10 narcotics dog teams and 10 explosive detection dog teams. Teams consist of a K-9 and its handler. The teams are scored on the accuracy of the search, the perfection of the alert, which entails telling the handler where the substance is, and the find itself, which is a combination of the ability of the dog and the handler to accurately tell judges where the substance is.
These organizations further the well-being and rights of purebred K-9s that participate in the 22,000 yearly competitions held under the AKC as well as those that are family companions and law enforcement aids.

K-9 Chaos from the Springfield Police Department and K-9 Kyle from the Charleston Police Department and their handlers will face off against 18 other teams to see which can detect their substance quickest. Teams may display police dogs with certification in areas such as General Patrol, Tracking, Protection, Arson, Fish and Game, and Search and Rescue. The competition will be broadcast at 10 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 28 on ESPN2.