Legislation to fund Illinois higher education passes in a House committee

Posted on November 10, 2015

A bill funding MAP grants and ISU is moving through the Illinois House. (WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

NORMAL – State lawmakers are going to try funding universities at a rate that’s better than what Illinois State University administrators are expecting.

A bill that funds MAP grants worth $397 million and gives Illinois State University $67.5 million passed in an Illinois House committee Tuesday. The ISU board of trustees passed a budget in October that anticipates a ten percent cut.

Jonathan Lackland, director of state government relations at Illinois State University, said State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn, is the sponsor of two bills that would fund higher education and she intends on pushing the more lucrative bill.

“However, she was uncertain of the support, meaning if it would pass or not,” Lackland told the ISU board of trustees during a conference call Tuesday.

The other appropriations bill would give the Illinois Student Assistance Commission $374 million for MAP Grants.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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