THE DAILY ILLINI
MONDAY February 3, 2020
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
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Vol. 149 Issue 36
Yingying Zhang’s family refiles lawsuit against social workers refile at the state level last week. Zhang’s family argued the social workers who saw Christensen could have done more. Months before Zhang’s death, Christensen went to the counseling center and told them about his fascination with serial killers and that he had purchased and taken steps to plan a murder. The federal lawsuit also claimed the social workers
THE DAILY ILLINI STAFF REPORT
The estate of Yingying Zhang refiled a lawsuit Monday against two social workers at the University of Illinois Counseling Center, according to a NewsGazette article. The lawsuit was initially filed in June before the trial of Brendt Christensen, who was later convicted of kidnapping and killing Zhang in 2017. However, the federal judge dismissed the lawsuit leading the family to
MARK CAPAPAS THE DAILY ILLINI
People line up to purchase tickets at the AMC Champaign 13 located on Meijer Drive on Saturday evening. The release of Chinese movie, “Detective Chinatown 3, was delayed due to the coronavirus crisis that originated in the Wuhan region of China.
Coronavirus indirectly affects CU community BY HEATHER ROBINSON STAFF WRITER
The coronavirus, now an official global public health emergency, has reached its eighth confirmed case in the United States. With the announcement of two confirmed cases within a Chicago family, local health centers are increasing the precautions they are taking to maintain public safety. While there have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus on campus, and no students in question of containing the virus, the effects are still present locally. According to a Massmail, at the University there are approximately 150 students from the Wuhan area, where the virus originated. However, many of them had not traveled home since the
outbreak of the virus. Runze Sha, senior in Media and president of the Chinese Student Scholars Association, said he was very shocked and worried upon first learning of the coronavirus outbreak. Sha said one of his friends visited Wuhan during winter break and is unable to return to campus due to the coronavirus outbreak. Over the past few days, students have taken to social media to discuss the national issue of racism Chinese people have faced in the wake of the virus outbreak. Sha said while he has not personally experienced any hateful comments from others due to his nationality, he would say that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect themselves well to
avoid the coronavirus. “We as CSSA take this issue very seriously. To make sure our campus be without coronavirus, it is necessary for us to do the self-protection well,” Sha said. Sha added that in order to best prevent the coronavirus from happening on campus, the CSSA has decided to cancel all events before Feb. 9. Other effects of the virus have also manifested locally, such as the cancellation of Chinese film “Detective Chinatown 3” at the Savoy 16 movie theater. The crisis of the coronavirus caused the delay of the film’s release in Chinese theaters. According to law, the film must first premiere in China before its initial showing in the U.S.
According to Melissa Garske, general manager of Savoy 16, in the twoday period of sales, 31 tickets were purchased for the anticipated film. Garske said she is unsure whether or not the movie will eventually show at Savoy 16. “We have a lot of interest, so I’m hopeful that once it is able to premiere in China that we will pick it up. It just depends on when that happens and what kind of other movies are coming out of that time in terms of availability,” Garske said. Garkse added that all purchases were fully refunded, and those who purchased tickets were notified prior to the previously anticipated showtime. hrr4@dailyillini.com
Annual scholarship lacks applicants in Illinois BY LUIS VELAZQUEZ STAFF WRITER
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announced an annual scholarship that is offered to all permanent residents of Illinois. However, there has been a lack of applicants over the past few years. The ISA is an organization that helps Illinois’ 102 counties throughout the state with “training, communication and the necessary resources for them to serve local communities more efficiently,” according to their website. The ISA will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the state of Illinois to students who are pursuing higher education. Requirements to obtain this scholarship include being a permanent Illinois resident, using the scholarship for higher institutes in Illinois and being enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year. Dustin Heuerman, sheriff for Champaign County, said he hopes this scholarship will have a positive effect on the recipient with financial need. Heuerman will be awarding one scholarship of $500. “I can’t speak for the association itself but to me, that is why it is important: to hopefully provide $500 to someone who would not otherwise be able to buy textbooks or afford that little (part) of tuition,” Heuerman said. According to Heuerman, ISA provides funds for the scholarship through the dues that are paid by the membership. Teresa Schleinz, the executive assistant to Heuerman, said there used to be 50 to 90 applicants when she first started to work at
Police
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Illinois Student Government facilitates Retention of Illinois Students & Equity Act on campus Eligible undocumented students and transgender students can apply for federal and/or state financial aid through the Retention of Illinois Students & Equity Act. There are an estimated 139,000 trans students out of a 19.9 million student population. 65,000 undocumented students graduate from college every year, but 3,250-6,500 undocumented students enroll in college every year.
Source: Best Colleges, Reuters, Illinois Student Assistance Comission
CASSIDY BRANDT THE DAILY ILLINI
Student government assists with financial aid information she hopes will raise awareness about new financial aid opportunities. The resolution would sponsor informational events in which parents and students who may need to apply for the RISE Act can learn about the process. In addition, the resolution would also sponsor a seminar in a computer lab during which students would be able to apply for financial aid and be guided through the process. As an Undocu/Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals mentor for La Casa Cultural Latina’s I-Cause, a program in support of undocumented and DACA students, Esparza realized that many have no idea what the RISE Act is, or that it had even been implemented. “I figured that it’s really important for U of I students, high school students and the community to be informed of what it is, what it does and who qualifies for it because a lot of people don’t pursue a higher education simply because of the fact that they can’t afford it,” Esparza said. The resolution was sent back to the Committee on Financial Affairs, where it will decide on how much, if any, money will be appropriated. On Wednesday, the resolution in its final form will be voted on by ISG members. Arnoldo Ayala, junior in
BY AMRITA BHATTACHARYYA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Illinois Student Government is considering a resolution that funds workshops to teach eligible students about new financial aid opportunities created by the Retaining Illinois Students and Equity Act. Signed into Illinois law on June 21, the RISE Act allows eligible undocumented and transgender college students who are disqualified from federal financial aid to apply for state financial aid. Without a social security number, undocumented students are ineligible to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is administered by the Department of Education to determine how much a student can afford to pay for college. The FAFSA also bars transgender students from applying if they are not registered for Selective Service. The Selective Service System is a U.S. government agency that requires all citizens assigned male at birth, including transgender women, who have turned 18 to register in case conscription becomes necessary. At an ISG meeting on Wednesday, Nataly Esparza, BRIGIDA DOCKUS THE DAILY ILLINI junior in LAS and ISG assisChampaign County Sheriff Dustin D. Heuerman explains the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association tant to the Director of Govscholarships in his office Friday. These scholarships are open and available for Illinois residents. ernmental Affairs, introduced Resolution 03.56: The RISE Act — Includthe office. “For this scholarship, I dent at Northern Illinois ing and Uplifting, which “As the years went by, I think (we’re) really look- University and Champaign don’t know if people just ing at what are ways that we County native, said she got lazy or if they have oth- can get a new group of can- was grateful for receiving er opportunities,” Schleinz didates who really want to the scholarship. According said. “Last year, I think I make a difference because to Waldrep, she said local got a total of five. We had a that’s really what this is. scholarships should be reccommittee read the five and It’s not for somebody who ognized more by students we selected a winner from wants a lot of money.” Heu- to get additional financial those five.” erman said. help. One part of the applicaMethods the Champaign “With local scholarships, tion is an essay. However, County Sheriff’s Office is they want students to go to this year, the prompt asks attempting to use include college and help with their applicants to write a short advertising this scholarship financial need for college,” Features: essay on how to increase the through news outlets, radio Waldrep said. “I feel like International number of applicants due to stations and their Facebook you’re better off getting ballet showcase the law enforcement sher- page. local scholarships than if iff’s office experiencing a Karli Waldrep, last year’s you try to go on a website PAGE 5A decline in applicants. scholarship recipient, stu- and apply for a random
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