$3M in emergency funds headed to Illinois community colleges

CARTERVILLE, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois board in charge of community colleges has approved distribution of $3 million in emergency funds to help schools across the state that are in need.

Illinois Community College Board chairman Lazaro Lopez said during Wednesday's meeting in Carterville that the state's community colleges will continue to struggle until there is a stable state budget in Springfield.

"I do want to say that while we are grateful and moving forward in this process, there is still a need for a regular state budget," Lopez said.

The state hasn't had a budget for 18 months. A partial spending plan expires at the end of the year.

State law says the Illinois Board of Higher Education must consult with the community college board for financial emergencies, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/2hoyuJK ). The higher education board last month reserved $3 million for community colleges.

Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi and JALC Trustee Jake Rendleman, community college board members, were also in attendance for the meeting Wednesday. They said the exact distribution of the money will be determined after the plan is formally approved by the higher education board.

"I've never known them to turn it down," Rendleman said.

The higher education board is scheduled to meet on Dec. 13.

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Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com