Today's seventh-graders in Champaign School District Unit 4 will graduate from refurbished high schools.

The state of Illinois has racked up over 14-billion dollars in unpaid bills since the budget impasse began nearly two years ago. The state owes the money to social service agencies, businesses, hospitals and school districts. The state Comptroller’s office says the state owes the Champaign Unit 4 School District about $4.8 million, making the district one of the state's bigger creditors in eastern Illinois. Unit 4 Chief Financial Officer Tom Lockman spoke to Illinois Public media about the money and how the district is getting by without it as part of ongoing series on the effects of the budget impasse.

A bond referendum expected to appear on the November 8th ballot in the Champaign Unit Four school district will be reduced to $183 million, due to actions taken Monday night.

Laurie Bonnett, who led the Unit Four School Board during two failed facilities referenda, is stepping down from the board, to move with her family to Pittsburgh.