Western Illinois University campus in Macomb in 2021. (Jose M. Osorio/ Chicago Tribune) coronavirus, COVID-19 By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune. PUBLISHED: August 13, 2024 at 5:00 AM CDT.

In a bid to cut costs amid an ongoing financial crisis, Western Illinois University has announced that it will be laying off 89 employees — 57 faculty members and 32 staff — this school year.