Quinn wants more scholarships for needy students

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Pat Quinn wants Illinois to increase scholarships for needy college students.

Quinn held a rally on the issue Wednesday in Springfield. He wants to increase funding for the Monetary Assistance Program by $50 million next year. He says that would give 21,000 more students access to grant money.

The state allocated $373 million this year for the grants, which benefit more than 140,000 students.

The Chicago Democrat is waging a tough re-election battle against Winnetka Republican Bruce Rauner. Quinn has made education funding a core component of his campaign.