By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – As the state marches on without a budget, Illinois’ public universities are working to make their concerns over the impasse heard louder in Springfield.

Illinois State University Director of State Government Relations Jonathan Lackland says an advocacy group is being formed to take the issues directly to the legislature.

“The government relations staff from the various institutions, we’ve been meeting regularly to look at how the board of trustees can get more actively involved, how the students and potentially some others can get more actively involved,” said Lackland. “As well as the alumni. And we feel that the alumni base will be critical.

“Whether that would mean a letter writing campaign, if that would mean a one-on-one in Springfield, or one-on-one with their respective legislator in their district, it’s open.”

Lackland explained the idea at Tuesday’s meeting of the ISU Board of Trustees’ State Affairs Committee. He added a student lobby day in Springfield during October is another idea being discussed.

“Where the students can talk about MAP and the lack of funding for MAP,” Lackland said.

The advocates have already sent a letter to Governor Rauner explaining the need for a state budget and the impact of not having one. Lackland said this idea is focused on the universities presenting a unified voice, but that doesn’t mean ISU can’t also take its individual concerns to lawmakers in a separate effort.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].