By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – Illinois’ public universities are still waiting to find out how much funding they’ll be getting from the state.
State appropriations to universities could be cut by anywhere from 8.5 to 31.5 percent when the budget impasse finally ends. Illinois State University President Larry Dietz said his school is prepared to take on the larger of the cuts, but if the reduction is 31.5 percent, it would be “devastating.”
“That total amount for us would be about $27 million,” said Dietz. “And so you’re really talking about not only staff, but then you’re getting into other areas about, kind of, the bone marrow, if you will, of the institution.”
Dietz said he’s hopeful the reduction will be closer to the 8.5 percent scenario. However, he conceded that would still be a lot of money being taken off the table.
Dietz added he’s keeping a positive attitude about the situation, mainly because it doesn’t do much good to worry about something ISU does not control.
“We don’t control what’s happening in the state capitol, so to me the issue gets back to the things that we do control and we control are planning processes” said Dietz. “We’ve been doing planning for a long period of time. Our plans are in place; they’re scalable.”
Illinois is in its fourth month without a state budget.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
