Illinois Gets $188,000 From Penn State Settlement

The University of Illinois has received $188,000 as part of a legal settlement between the Big Ten Conference and Penn State University.

The money comes after the Pennsylvania school's child sex abuse scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The United Way of Champaign County is responsible for splitting up the funds.

The four groups receiving just over $44,500 include the Child Advocacy Center of Champaign County, Crisis Nursery, the Rape Advocacy Counseling and Education program, and the Court-Appointed Special Advocate program.

United Way CEO Sue Grey said another $10,000 from the funding will allow the four agencies to build a community-wide education and awareness program over the next few months.

"We certainly have local experts between Parkland (College), the university, and our service providers that possibly could do a training of sorts, something to help maybe to help caregivers of children," she said. "To help maybe caregivers of children. To be able to better identify signs of abuse, that sort of thing.”

 “All of these organizations serve a critical need in our community – protecting children – and the money will be used to enhance or expand their services,” said U of I Urbana Chancellor Phyllis Wise, in a statement. “The settlement is the result of a tragedy, but the hope is these gifts will serve a positive purpose and change people’s lives.”