U. of I. hikes tuition 2.6 percent

The University of Illinois has raised tuition for freshman starting classes next fall by about 2.6 percent on each of its three campuses.

University trustees' three-member executive committee voted at a meeting Wednesday to increase in-state tuition at the school's flagship campus in Urbana-Champaign to $9,484 a year. Tuition at the Chicago campus will increase to $8,342 a year and at the Springfield campus incoming freshmen will pay $7,402.50 a year.

Under Illinois law, incoming freshmen will pay those rates for the next four years. Rates for current students won't increase.

The committee decided against a 4 percent increase recommended by university President Joseph White.