Now, focus on funds for higher education

Illinois' governor and state lawmakers are taking a victory lap following passage of a state budget for Fiscal Year 2019. Throughout the recent legislative session, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and college and university leaders called for a fair and predictable budget, so we joined the applause at the session's checkered flag. We also believe that celebratory lap should be a short one.

The increase in operating funds of two percent for Illinois' public community colleges and universities is reasonable in the context of the state's overall budgetary demands. The inclusion of a list of capital funding for priority construction projects and deferred maintenance is welcomed.

The budget brings much-needed stability and predictability to most colleges and universities while dimming the memory of political gridlock and the destructive budget impasses since 2016. In sum, the budget reflects several steps forward. but there are miles to go to fully restore the jewels in the crown of the Illinois higher education system.

The Higher Education Working Group, a bipartisan group of legislative leaders from both the House and Senate, should join with college and university leaders to focus on further improving affordability, access, innovation and state support - keys to halting Illinois' brain drain. IBHE will be happy to facilitate joint discussions beginning immediately, leading up to the start of a new legislative session in 2019.

We also will be strongly pushing for the release of capital funding for public colleges' construction projects, many of which have been languishing for a half-decade, as well as emergency and safety-related capital renewal funding.

We are grateful that Gov. Rauner and the General Assembly followed and in some cases exceeded IBHE budget recommendations, and we remain eager to work with legislators and college and university leaders to build on our momentum.

Tom Cross, IBHE Chair

Al Bowman, IBHE Executive Director