Illinois House approves emergency funding bill for higher education

Posted on April 22, 2016
Dan Brady
State Rep. Dan Brady says an emergency funding bill which passed the Illinois House would provide ISU $21 million. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Dan Brady)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – Colleges and universities in Illinois that have been struggling for months without state funding could be getting a lifeline soon.

The Illinois House on Friday passed an emergency funding bill to cover higher education for four months. State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the near $600 million measure provides $21 million to Illinois State University.

“I was glad to be able to give (ISU) president (Larry) Dietz some positive news for a change from Springfield,” Brady said. “Obviously the work continues. This is a stop-gap measure.”

The plan passed on a 106-2 vote. It also includes $169 million for student MAP grants, which most colleges have covered for students during the state budget stalemate.

The proposal had been held up by attempts to also fund social services, which were left out. Brady said one thing at a time.

“It has to be within certain revenues we have for the governor to be able to sign it and rightfully so,” Brady said. “We can’t send out checks we don’t have money for.”

The measure awaits a vote in the Senate. Gov. Bruce Rauner has said he would sign it.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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