U Of I Could Request 4-Percent State-Funding Increase

The University of Illinois is seeking about a 4 percent increase in state funding for the 2016 fiscal year.

The News-Gazette reports Tuesday that the school requested a $68 million increase in operating funds. It would be the first time since 2009 that the state's flagship school received a boost in state funding.
 
The school currently is operating on $1.4 million less than last year.
 
Christophe Pierre is Vice President for Academic Affairs. He told school trustees Monday that state funding and a state overhaul of its pension system are uncertain. So is federal support for research.

But health-care costs are rising and the school is nearing the upper limits on tuition rates.
 
The proposed budget includes $40 million for "competitive compensation'' for faculty.