In his annual budget address to lawmakers, Gov. Bruce Rauner said Illinois lawmakers of both parties agree for the first time that the state needs regulatory change as well as reduced spending. "On this, we all now agree," he said. "And that is real progress.''
College students rallied in the state Capitol rotunda Wednesday. They’re urging lawmakers to restore state funding to universities and community colleges. State schools have already cut faculty, classes, and services. But thousands of public and private Illinois college students may have to drop out if lawmakers don’t revive low-income MAP grants for next semester.
A recent survey from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shows that colleges and universities are handling the state budget impasse in a confusing variety of ways. The commission is the state agency that administers the Monetary Award Program, known as the MAP grant, designed to help pay tuition for low-income students.
Governor Bruce Rauner has taken his turnaround agenda campaign to Bloomington, calling for workers comp reform to save Caterpillar jobs that are moving to Arizona. He also repeatedly avoided answering questions about him not endorsing apparent GOP Presidential nominee Donald Trump.
A new higher education bill would give state universities a third of their usual state funding, and pay for one semester of MAP grants for low-income students.
