Rauner appoints top Republican to university oversight job
Former House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego has been appointed to lead the Illinois Board of Higher Education, taking over the job at a time when the state's budget standoff has the schools threatening layoffs and closures.
Cross left his job as Republicans' leader in the Illinois House after an unsuccessful bid for Illinois treasurer in 2014.
A lawyer, Cross has been at Aurora University since May in a job promoting a program in science, technology and math.
The Board of Higher Education has some oversight duties for universities in Illinois, and Gov. Bruce Rauner appointed Cross as the unpaid chairman Friday.
Those universities haven't gotten state money since July 1 as Democratic lawmakers and Rauner have dueled over state spending.
Just this week, Chicago State University canceled its spring break to shorten the school year and save money and announced the potential layoffs of hundreds.
Rauner signed Democrats' education budget last year, assuring local schools can open. Universities and community colleges weren't included, though.
And students have protested the state delinquence on the need-based Monetary Assistance Program, a major scholarship program that hasn't been funded, either.