By Carie Kuehn
NORMAL – The Heartland Community College Board of Trustees set a $33.5 million tentative budget for the upcoming school year, even without a clear answer on what the state will be able to provide.
“Our first priority is the student experience and a very positive student experience,” said President Rob Widmer. “We want to maintain that and that is the message that goes out. You still need to come and you will still have a good experience here.”
The meeting happened the same day that Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger spoke in Normal about the consequences of not having a budget would have on the state going into the new fiscal year. Widmer spoke in the meeting about how even the conversation of tapping into financial reserves was unnecessary until they had a clear answer from the state.
“We certainly have substantial reserves. The difficulty is tapping into reserves is not a sustainable long term strategy and we cannot assume that will be along term strategy.”
With the new fiscal year beginning July 1, more than $23 million is subject to being cut from services such as education and 911 centers. Although Heartland Community College was able to set a tentative budget, not all college and universities in Illinois are confident about opening their doors.
“For all the legislators and the governor and the speaker, and all who are involved in Springfield just do your job. Pass a budget and recognize the needs that exist across the state.”
Carie Kuehn can be reached at carie.kuehn@cumulus.com.
