Organizers of the Buy into Western Illinois University petition drive feel their effort has taken on greater urgency in the aftermath of the latest round of layoffs at the institution.  Western sent 132 layoff notices to faculty and staff from across the university on March 1.

Union faculty at Western Illinois will vote later this month on a possible strike. 

Members of the University Professionals of Illinois chapter at Western Illinois University voted overwhelmingly to defer 3% of their compensation for the next two years. They also agreed to pass up a negotiated 1% salary increase.

Layoff notices are going out to 200 non-instructional employees at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, while members of the union representing faculty and academic employees consider an administration request to take unpaid furlough days.