TSPR Local News

WIU: Crisis of Confidence

The "Crisis of Confidence" series is a multi-year effort by the Tri States Public Radio to document the impact the two-year state budget impasse had on Western Illinois University and the ongoing recovery efforts at WIU. State support for public higher education institutions has been steadily declining in Illinois for more than a decade. But the issue was compounded, during the state's historic two-year budget impasse during Fiscal Years '16 and '17 which left public colleges and universities with little state financial support. At Western Illinois University, that drastic cut in state appropriations resulted in significant budget cuts, employee furloughs, and layoffs.

Governor Signs Bill to Partially Fund Higher Education

Tri States Public Radio | By Emily Boyer

Published April 25, 2016 at 1:19 PM CDT

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed SB 2059 Monday morning. The bill provides a short-term appropriation to the state’s colleges and universities.

Rauner issued a written statement about the action:

“This legislation doesn't solve our budget crisis or help our economy grow, but it does represent a first step toward compromise between Democrats and Republicans. Now is the time to build on this bipartisan momentum and focus on enacting a truly balanced budget for Fiscal Years 2016-2017 alongside meaningful reforms that create jobs and free up resources for education, social services and infrastructure.”

The bill takes effect immediately.

Western Illinois University expects to receive $20 million -- about one-third of what Western expected for this fiscal year.

“It will allow us to put off the decision to use auxiliary funds and not go into technical default,” said Matt Bierman, WIU Budget Director.

Bierman said the stopgap funding measure will help but he emphasized WIU and other public universities in Illinois need comprehensive funding for the current fiscal year and next.