West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University received its first allocation of approximately $5.5 million form the state last month.

Senate Bill 2047 was passed on June 30, allowing the state to fund higher education. Western is scheduled to receive a total of $31.4 million over the remainder of the calendar year, plus $5.1 million in reimbursement for Monetary Award Program grants awarded to eligible students.

Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas reminded the community that resolving the continuing budget impasse at the state level will ensure that the university will be able to continue to serve its students. Western also provides approximately $473 million in economic benefits to the surrounding 16-county region.

 

The Illinois state budget has been stalled in the legislature for more than a year. While the proposed budget passed by the House was voted down in the Senate on May 31, the legislature was able to pass a bridge budget on June 30. This budget provided funding for K-12 and higher education, ensuring that the state's schools would open in the fall.

After the general election in November, legislators will have an opportunity to revisit the state budget and vote in a balanced budget as required by the Illinois constitution.