House Proposal Would Cut WIU Funding

The  Illinois House is considering a 6% cut to state universities  in next year's budget. That's nearly double the reduction  in  the budget plan that passed the Senate last week.

The  dollar amount of the cuts would vary depending on the size of the  institution.

Western Illinois University would lose nearly $3.4 million.

The  proposal also slashes $15 million from scholarships for needy students through the Monetary Assistance Program, also known as MAP Grants.

On  top of that, the state could shift more of the pension burden for university employees onto schools.

The proposed cuts for other state universities:

• For the three campuses of the University of Illinois (in Urbana, Chicago and Springfield) the total reduction would be more than $42 million;
• Eastern Illinois University would lose $2.8 million;
• Northern Illinois University would lose more than $6.1 million;
• Illinois State University would lose nearly $4.8 million;
• Southern Illinois University would lose more than $14.7 million;
• Chicago State and Northeastern Illinois Universities would each  lose nearly $2.5 million;
• Governors  State University would lose $1.6 million.

Thanks to Illinois Public Radio