Big government employers are usually among the last work places to feel the pain of cutbacks and layoffs, providing a degree of security that's hard to come by these days. Governments, even in times of dwindling revenues, tend to react more slowly to economic downturns than private businesses. And if they do cut jobs, it's almost never on the scale now common among big corporations and small, locally owned shops.

When Mark Knutson and Jan Seeley started planning the Illinois Marathon in June of 2007, they had no idea that close to 9,500 people would register for this inaugural event.

Big government employers are usually among the last work places to feel the pain of cutbacks and layoffs, providing a degree of security that's hard to come by these days. Governments, even in times of dwindling revenues, tend to react more slowly to economic downturns than private businesses. And if they do cut jobs, it's almost never on the scale now common among big corporations and small, locally owned shops.

When Mark Knutson and Jan Seeley started planning the Illinois Marathon in June of 2007, they had no idea that close to 9,500 people would register for this inaugural event.

Big government employers are usually among the last work places to feel the pain of cutbacks and layoffs, providing a degree of security that's hard to come by these days. Governments, even in times of dwindling revenues, tend to react more slowly to economic downturns than private businesses. And if they do cut jobs, it's almost never on the scale now common among big corporations and small, locally owned shops.

On Saturday over 9,500 people ran through the streets of Champaign and Urbana in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.

On Saturday over 9,500 people ran through the streets of Champaign and Urbana in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.

On Saturday over 9,500 people ran through the streets of Champaign and Urbana in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.

On Saturday over 9,500 people ran through the streets of Champaign and Urbana in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.

On Saturday over 9,500 people ran through the streets of Champaign and Urbana in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.

Ever wonder what's in your drinking water?

The Next Generation School in Champaign made a colorful contribution to the white walls at Carle Foundation Hospital on Thursday.