After an investigation revealed that legislators and other politicians were able to influence admissions at the University of Illinois, the school suspended the office of government relations from having access to UI's Banner system, which includes student information, over concerns of possible violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

As early as February, administrators began to express concern that UI assistant director of state relations Terry McLennard was sharing too much student information with legislators regarding students on the now infamous “Category I” list.  A Chicago Tribune investigation revealed last week that UI's Board of Trustees admitted students from a "Category I" list based on their parents’ political connections. 

More from the News Gazette
Our previous coverage of the admissions scandal at the University of Illinois