The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees voted Monday to authorize staff reductions for the the upcoming fiscal year. Meanwhile, the president of Eastern Illinois University announced a series of immediate cuts, including the possible imposition of unpaid furloughs and layoffs.

The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees has approved a recommendation to reduce the cost of tuition by 3 percent for new incoming undergraduates who enroll for the 2016-17 academic year.

The administration at Western Illinois University in Macomb wants time to revise its budget-cutting plan, and is asking the Board of Trustees to delay its vote on the plan until next month.

WIU officials say cuts in higher education funding and declining enrollment require them to eliminate approximately 50 faculty positions in the 2016-17 academic year, and eliminate or modify several administrative and support staff positions --- and more spending cuts are being considered.

The downgrades from Moody's Investors Services did not downgrade the University of Illinois or Illinois State University, but like the other schools, they were given "negative" outlooks.  Illinois is about to enter its fifth month with no state budget.