State execs disappointed by budget cuts

NORMAL -- Officials of Illinois State University are expressing disappointment at Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to take back a $2.1 million increase planned for fiscal 2009.

ISU President Al Bowman said his administration put together a very conservative spending plan, given the stateÂ's weak revenue outlook. With the loss of the money, further austerity will be needed.

According to Bowman, Illinois State will slow spending, in particular, delaying implementation of an automated payroll system. A non-teaching hiring freeze will continue. But the Bowman says he intends to stick with a mid-year salary increase plan.

Last week, the Blagojevich administration asked Illinois' universities to place 2.5 percent of their budgets in reserves. The cuts mean four-year universities would lose nearly $35 million from their budgets.