Higher education funding falls apart

Posted on April 22, 2016
Mike Madigan
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan failed to bring a higher education funding proposal up for a vote on Thursday. (Photo courtesy IRN)

By WFMB/FarmWeekNow.com

SPRINGFIELD – One thing was for sure, a compromise on funding for higher education wouldn’t be easy to come by and that being proven true at the Illinois Capitol.

Lawmakers and allies of education seemed optimistic on Thursday as the House appeared to agree on $600 million of funding for universities, junior colleges and MAP grants. But as things can in the Illinois House, Speaker Mike Madigan stepped in and appeared to squash any vote until Friday.

The House seemingly pulled the bill to add more state spending to the measure as an effort to put Gov. Bruce Rauner on the spot to approve or veto critical spending on higher ed. There is a chance at a new bill or a vote before the weekend. Rauner said via email statement late Thursday that he applauded members of both sides of the isle who are coming together to deliver emergency assistance to our universities, community colleges and low-income students.

By the numbers state universities would divvy up $356 million, community colleges $74 million, Chicago State receives $20 million on its own and MAP grants pick up $170 million. The spending is far below what schools were expecting or had received in the past.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…