ISU officials present FY2021 budget proposal in Springfield

Posted on March 4, 2020
Illinois State University President Larry Dietz (middle) and other school leaders were in Springfield Tuesday. (Photo HOI-ABC)

 

By HOI ABC

SPRINGFIELD – Representatives from Illinois State University were at the Capitol Tuesday morning to present their budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021.

ISU is asking for roughly $73.1 million from the state’s Education Assistance Fund to meet operational expenses, according to our news partner Heart of Illinois ABC. University leaders are also asking for $30,000 for student scholarships and grants.

President Larry Dietz says he knows some funding is being held in reserves in case Gov. JB Pritzker’s graduated income tax proposal doesn’t get voters’ approval in November. But, Dietz feels the university is prepared.

“Whatever money that we get, we’ll work within those parameters,” Dietz said. “I do appreciate the fact that the Governor and elected officials are looking at different new sources of revenue to meet those expenditures.”

Dietz added he is also happy to see increased funding for the state’s MAP and AIM HIGH grant programs. Senators on the Appropriations Committee thanked Dietz for leading the charge to attract Illinois high school students to state universities. Lawmakers have constantly discussed ways to increase in-state enrollment for universities across the state. The current Illinois State enrollment numbers show 93% of the students are from Illinois.

Representatives from the school will present their budget proposal to a House Committee in April.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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