ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS ARE SENDING THE GOVERNOR A FUNDING BILL DESIGNED TO GET ILLINOIS COLLEGES THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THE 600 MILLION DOLLARS APPROPRIATED IN THE LEGISLATION COMES FROM AN UNUSED SPECIAL FUND. IT PROVIDES MONEY FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND STUDENT MAP GRANTS AS WELL AS THE ILLINOIS MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY. SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHRISTINE RADOGNO SAYS THE PLAN IS A SOLID PIECE OF BIPARTISANSHIP.

THE BILL HAD NEAR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT…AND GOVERNOR RAUNER IS EXPECTED TO SIGN IT INTO LAW.

WHILE THE FUNDING IS ONLY A PORTION OF WHAT SCHOOLS NORMALLY RECEIVE FROM THE STATE, SENATOR DONNE TROTTER SAYS THEY HAVE TO DO WHAT THEY CAN.

THE MONEY WILL COME FROM AN UNUSED SPECIAL STATE FUND. GOVERNOR RAUNER PRAISED LAWMAKERS FOR COMING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF FOR THE STATE’S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AND IS EXPECTED TO SIGN IT INTO LAW.