State Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) recognized some of his district's high school athletes.

DePaul University softball tops the list of highest grossing programs in Illinois, reporting more than $1.3 million – or $63,791 per athlete – in 2016, according to a Higher Education Tribune analysis of the latest federal data.

Illinois is the fifth most popular states for college softball, according to a Higher Education Tribune analysis of federal data.

Standing at the Senate floor podium, Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) was surrounded by a sea of winners – the Richwoods Lady Knights state basketball champions.

Robert Morris University baseball tops the list of highest grossing programs in Illinois, reporting more than $1.3 million – or $10,678 per athlete – in 2016, followed by Bradley University ($1.2 million), and University of Illinois at Chicago ($980,248), according to a Higher Education Tribune analysis of the latest federal data.

Jevon Carter earned second-team All-America honors this week, yet another accolade for a point guard called "one of the best to ever hit the hardwood" for West Virginia University.

Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) questioned a school report cards bill and introduced legislation to aid apprenticeships at last week's Senate Education Committee hearing.

With 11 yes votes, a bill banning youth younger than 12 years old from playing on organized tackle football teams passed the House Mental Health Committee on Thursday.

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the NW Illinois News coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Nov. 12 to Nov. 18.

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the NW Illinois News coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Nov. 5 to Nov. 11.

Freeport graduate Steve McShane had 90 rushing yards, two touchdown runs, 12 rush attempts, 66 receiving yards, one touchdown catch and three receptions in Western Ill. Leathernecks football's 52-24 loss Oct. 28 to the South Dakota St. Jackrabbits at Hans

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the NW Illinois News coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Oct. 29 to Nov. 4.

Mike Stevenson has been tabbed director of athletics and YMCA programs at the Sauk Valley YMCA, the Sterling–Rock Falls YMCA announced in a press release recently.

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the NW Illinois News coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Oct. 22 to Oct. 28.

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the NW Illinois News coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Oct. 15 to Oct. 21.

Freeport graduate Steve McShane had 143 rushing yards, one touchdown run, 23 rush attempts, two receiving yards, two receptions and one punt return in Western Ill. Leathernecks football's 49-30 win Oct. 14 over the Missouri St. Bears at Hanson Field.

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the NW Illinois News coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Oct. 8 to Oct. 14.

Freeport graduate Steve McShane had 56 rushing yards, one touchdown run, 13 rush attempts, 30 receiving yards, three receptions, 13 kickoff return yards and 44 punt return yards in Western Ill. Leathernecks football's 38-29 win Oct. 7 over the UNI Panther

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the NW Illinois News coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Oct. 1 to Oct. 7.

Freeport graduate Steve McShane had 15 rushing yards, one touchdown run, 10 rush attempts, 27 receiving yards, three receptions, 77 punt return yards and one punt return in Western Ill. Leathernecks football's 38-33 loss Sept. 30 to the South Dakota Coyot