DACC trustees will consider a proposed tuition increase of $10 per credit hour, expected to generate about $400,000 in additional revenue next year.

Gridlock has kept money from going to higher education in Illinois since July. Then, in a matter of hours on Thursday, Democratic lawmakers approved a plan that would pump $720 million into the system. Republicans are calling it a "cruel hoax" that's giving students false hope, even though they, too, say they want to help higher ed.

The Parkland College Board gave its tentative approval Wednesday night to a 12% tuition and fee increase for the next academic year, as well as cuts in the Champaign community college's tuition waiver program. Parkland President Tom Ramage says the cuts are just part of what's proposed to adjust to an expected 50% cut in state funding for fiscal year 2017.

Officials with community colleges in Danville, Mattoon and Decatur plan cuts in programs for the spring semester due to the state budget impasse, but still hope for eventual state funding this fiscal year.