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Representatives from the Illinois Education Association, the
Illinois Federation of Teachers, SEIU and AFSCME joined together to
call on lawmakers to provide much-needed support for Illinois'
higher education system. These investments would be made possible
through the governor's Tax Fairness Plan, which would usher in a
sweeping transformation of the state's tax system, shifting shift
the tax burden away from individuals, who have been carrying an
increasing share of the burden over the past 30 years, to large
businesses, which have paid little to no income tax.
"By investing in education, we are investing in people and a
bright future for our state, and when we increase support for our
universities and community colleges, we are helping our young adults
get ahead and providing opportunities for others to advance in their
careers. Education is the pathway to achieving the American dream,
and now it's time to fix the loophole-riddled, broken corporate
income tax system that is holding Illinois back," Blagojevich said.
"In a global economy, our state's future depends on an educated work
force, and this is the investment needed to make sure Illinois
businesses have access to qualified workers."
"It's gratifying that today the entire higher education community
is together under the same tent, rallying in support of our colleges
and universities," said IEA President Ken Swanson. "Our schools must
have the resources to compete with those in other states if we are
to keep the best and brightest students and professors in Illinois.
The governor's plan would help hold down tuition costs and ensure
that our schools can afford to maintain and enhance current
programs."
Through the governor's Tax Fairness Plan, the state would have a
solid, dependable revenue stream moving forward to support higher
education in Illinois. Funds would be used to:
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Invest $300 million in the state's universities, community
colleges and higher education system over the next four years.
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Launch over $600 million in capital improvements on college
campuses with building renovation and construction projects that
will strengthen programs and enhance the learning environments for
student and teachers (project list below).
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Increase access to financial aid for low- and middle-income
students with $7.3 million in increased funding of the Monetary
Award Program.
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Provide $7.6 million to community colleges and universities to
support education priorities in the areas of teacher preparation and
health care programs.
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Increase support for community colleges by nearly $6 million,
which includes $3 million for the base college grant program.
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Continue to address the national nursing shortage with a $6
million investment, with $3 million allocated to educating and
retaining nurses throughout the state and $3 million for the Nurse
Educator Loan Repayment Program, which provides $5,000 annual grants
to nurse educators.
Additional statewide projects that would build new or existing
facilities at public universities total over $600 million. Specific
projects include:
Chicago State University:
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For renovating Douglas Hall: $18,000,000
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For planning and beginning new Westside Campus: $10,000,000
Governor's State University:
- For replacing roadways and sidewalks: $1,950,000
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 Illinois State University:
- For renovations of the Fine Arts Complex: $44,400,000
Northeastern Illinois University:
- For constructing an education building: $59,329,000
Northern Illinois University:
- For renovating and expanding Stevens Building: $19,190,600
Eastern Illinois University:
- For purchase of equipment to complete the renovation and
expansion of Doudna Fine Arts Center: $1,500,000
Southern Illinois University Carbondale:
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For constructing a Transportation and Education Center, in
addition to funds previously appropriated: $43,811,600
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For purchase of equipment to complete the expansion and
renovation of Morris Library: $6,000,000
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville:
- For renovating and constructing a science laboratory, in addition
to funds previously appropriated: $69,517,600
University of Illinois at Chicago:
- For upgrading campus infrastructure and renovating campus
buildings: $19,700,000
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:
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For renovating Lincoln Hall, in addition to funds previously
appropriated: $55,100,000
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For constructing a Post Harvest Crop Research Laboratory, in
addition to funds previously appropriated: $16,910,000
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For constructing an Electrical and Computer Engineering Building,
in addition to funds previously appropriated: $42,000,000
University of Illinois, Rockford:
- For constructing a National Rural Health Center: $14,250,000
Western Illinois University, Macomb:
- For constructing a Performing Arts Center, in addition to funds
previously appropriated: $57,825,100
Western Illinois University, Quad City Campus:
- For renovation and construction of Riverfront Campus, in addition
to funds previously appropriated: $14,232,500
Capital funding to improve existing infrastructure, known as
"capital renewal," would total $30 million and be provided at
universities at the following levels:
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Chicago State University: $483,100
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Eastern Illinois University: $773,300
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Governors State University: $284,600
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Illinois State University: $1,532,000
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Northeastern Illinois University: $575,500
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Northern Illinois University: $1,738,500
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Western Illinois University: $1,188,300
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Southern Illinois University Carbondale: $2,437,500
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: $1,144,600
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University of Illinois at Chicago: $4,165,900
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University of Illinois at Springfield: $343,700
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: $6,225,400
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Illinois Community College Board: $59,107,600
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
