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Springfield tempers
erupts over MAP grant funding
Written By: Cole Lauterbach, INN News
Reporter
January 30, 2016
Democratic lawmakers voted to spend more money the state doesn’t have
in their ongoing battle with Governor Bruce Rauner.
Democrats voted Thursday to send $721 million to the state’s student-aid
program, or MAP grants, as well as provide money for community colleges.
Rauner’s office said he would likely veto the bill since it would pit MAP grant
recipients against needy children and basic state services for limited funds.
Republicans had previously filed their own legislation that would have given
$1.6 billion to higher-ed, but it got no Democratic support because it is paired
with legislation that would give the governor greater flexibility to manage the
state’s finances by cutting spending and shifting funding during this fiscal
year.
