Patch Flash: State Runs Out of Money for Student Financial Aid

College-bound Illinois students seeking financial aid to offset their tuition costs will be turned away if their application was received after March 13, because the state has run out of money. Illinois received a record high flood of Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAs) from current or prospective college students vying for a piece of the state's Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant money this year, prompting the Illinois Student Aid Commission (ISAC) to suspend fund disbursement starting March 14. Before the ISAC put a hold on all grants, they had lowered the maximum award from $4,968 last year in anticipation of less available money and a greater need this year. 

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's plan to shutter 14 state facilities could come with an even broader economic impact than originally expected. According to the Associated Press, the 2,300 jobs that the governor admitted would be lost with the facilities' closures included only the state jobs themselves and did not account for the "ripple" effect on the communities surrounding them. They also were only based on data from 8 of the 14 prisons, mental health centers and other facilities. 

Jesus A. Lemus, 24, of 6416 Denali Ridge Drive, apparently had an agreement with the 16-year-old boy and his 16-year-old girlfriend in which they allowed him to take photos and film them while having sex on numerous occasions, Joliet Police Lt. Brian Dupuis said. 

Florida-based Spirit Airlines is no stranger to Blagojevich-themed ad campaigns -- they've previously run "'F-ing Golden" and "Slammer Sale" promotions around the imprisoned former Illinois governor. And their latest campaign continues the trend. "Thought you could escape Chicago for Colorado.. You Thought Wrong," an ad for the "Blago Attempts Escape!" promotion reads on the airline's website. "See you soon!" The promotion offered flights "to Denver or any of our other great destinations" from $19.80 through 11:59 ET Wednesday.

. According to team member Joni Cotton, of Mt. Prospect, the best curlers are in their 30s and 40s because curling takes so long to master.