Illinois GOP calls Democrats’ college spending bill a hoax

Illinois Republicans are balking at a Democrat-backed plan to provide $721.5 million in state funding to community colleges and the Monetary Award Program (MAP).

Republicans say the bill won’t have its intended effect because there’s no money to pay for it.

Republicans do have their own plan for funding MAP, junior colleges and universities, but that bill is tied to companion legislation that would give the Governor authority to sweep funds from other parts of state government and reallocate them to different services or expenses.

It was 37 minutes past noon during Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address on Wednesday when he finally mentioned Illinois’ lack of a budget.

Democratic Senator Kimberly Lightford said the Democrat supported measure to fund tuition grants for eligible students is needed.

Democratic Sen. Scott Bennett of Champaign, who represents the University of IL, has introduced a bill that would fund public universities.

This story will be updated. He wrote that the GOP proposal “is far more fiscally responsible … as it would help MAP students, community colleges and universities without exploding the deficit, skyrocketing the bill backlog or exacerbating the state’s cash flow crisis”.

McMillan said personal outreach to state legislators can make an impact on getting the MAP grant funded. McMillan said that a group of about 50 Bradley students traveled to Springfield to rally in support of the MAP grant.

Just this week, Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman notified the campus community of immediate cuts to expenditures such as equipment purchases and warned of potential layoffs and furloughs if the situation continues.

There’s no revenue stream to pay for a Democrat sponsored bill to fund MAP grants, according to House Republicans.

That’s left Chilton uncertain about how she’ll cover that portion of her school expenses. His budget director has recommended the governor veto the bill.

“This bill, with all the good intentions, is not sustainable in funding right now”, Brady said, adding that it will face a likely veto from Rauner if it passes both chambers.