Every year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the best online programs in the country. More than 1,600 programs were ranked in total, which encompass Bachelor’s programs as well as seven different fields of graduate programs, including nursing, computer information technology, criminal justice, education, business (non-MBA), MBA and engineering.

Today Illinois programs made impressive rankings in more ways than one. Out of 353 colleges, the University of Illinois-Chicago came in third for the best Bachelor’s program, moving up from fifth place last year.

In addition, Illinois was ranked number 1 in the graduate nursing category. Rush University, also located in Chicago, had the best ranking out of 183 colleges.

The meat alternative trend has been on a steady increase, and it has the potential to substantially cut carbon emissions. Gaining momentum and popularity, meat alternatives, like the Impossible Burger, could shape a meatless future. A future where the human diet consists of less meat is potentially vital to the overall health and conservation of the environment.

According to the Sierra Club, 27.0 kilograms of CO₂ are emitted for every one kilogram of beef consumed. Also, Beef cattle are responsible for a quarter of the emissions from American agriculture. The UN released a statement last August noting if humans universally ate less meat, worldwide emissions could potentially decrease as much as eight gigatons annually. Soy beans, one of the main ingredients of meatless meats, may be one of many answers to combat meat-related CO₂ emissions.

Are you ready to rock? Today is Women Rock Day, which draws attention to the female rockers who have helped shape the rock ‘n’ roll genre. A few of these sirens first took the stage here in Illinois. Read on to learn more about the talented Illinois women who have stepped behind the microphone to make music, break stereotypes and contribute their voices to history.

Gabriella Boros is our October Artist of the Month from Skokie, Illinois. For the past eight years Gabriella has beeen relishing woodblock printmaking which she defines as her favorite medium to work in. Gabriella's paintings have been viewed not only in Illinois but internationally as well.

How long have you been an artist or when did you start?

I have been creating art in one way or another since my earliest memory. There never was a period when I did not paint, draw or in some way express myself artistically.

Biki Chaplain is our September Artist of the Month. Orginally from Texas, Chaplain moved to Southern Illinois in the 1960's. Although she has worked in many mediums throughout the years her favorite to work in is oil because of the quality of the color.

How long have you been an artist or when did you start?

Apparently, I was an artist long before I realized that I was one. In high school, one of my classmates remembered she had gone to school with me in the second grade and remembered me as the girl who could draw the beautiful birds. However, it wasn’t until college that I considered myself an artist.