By Joe Ragusa
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois’ public universities, including Illinois State, would see a six percent cut in state aid under a budget Illinois Democrats are expected to unveil Thursday.
The proposal’s cut to higher education is significantly less than Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed 31 percent cut.
Republicans, like State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, are skeptical about the new proposal.
“Don’t anybody (start) popping cork bottles. This is a facade budget,” Brady said. “Even if the revenues were there to support this budget and only a six percent cut across the board to our 12 state universities, the governor is not going to sign this bill into law. It’s going to be vetoed.”
Illinois State would lose an estimated $4.4 million in state aid if the six percent cut is approved. Under Gov. Rauner’s proposal, ISU would lose approximately $23 million.
LISTEN: State Rep. Dan Brady joins WJBC’s Tim Lewis to discuss the Democrat’s budget proposal.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.
