Rivian Automotive has completed the purchase of the former Mitsubishi plant in the McLean County city of Normal, where it plans to manufacture electric vehicles.

U of I President Timothy Killeen and Interim Urbana Chancellor Barbara Wilson told an appropriations committee that some high-profile faculty are looking to leave the university due to the budget stalemate.  "I really fear for the brain drain right now," Wilson said.  Meanwhile, Killeen says the U of I won't be able to cover the full cost of students' MAP grants should the impasse continue this fall.

Kent Ferguson is one of the Mitsubishi workers losing his job when the plant in Normal closes. Ferguson is a tool and die craftsman and talked with Charlie Schlenker about the plant closing and how the employees are doing. 

Mitsubishi Motors officials say the company will stop making vehicles at its central Illinois factory. Annual production there has fallen to 64,000 vehicles from more than 200,000 in 2002.