State's bill backlog has higher ed struggling

[November 07, 2009]  At least two major universities say they are struggling under the state's massive backlog of unpaid bills. The University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University both say the state owes them several hundred million dollars in reimbursements.

U of I has received only a small portion of the $317 million owed from the state, and SIU has said it is owed $117 million. Both universities say they could be in serious financial trouble soon if payments are not made.

[Text from Illinois Senate Republicans]