IL House Approves End to Legislative Scholarships

Another push to get rid of legislative scholarships is underway in Illinois.

The Illinois House voted 79-25 Wednesday to end the program, which allows each lawmaker to hand out tuition waivers to students from their district. The measure now goes to the Senate, which has backed the waiver program in the past.

Each legislator can award four-year waivers to two students or divide them among up to eight students.

The program has received much criticism after revelations that some legislators award waivers to family members, political allies' children and students outside their districts. It also costs state universities millions of dollars a year.

Gov. Pat Quinn urged the Senate to abolish the program and use the money for deserving students in financial need.