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February 09, 2010

Public university chiefs urge swift action on state’s financial crisis

State more than $700 million behind in payments to campuses

Chicago, Ill. — Presidents and chancellors of public four-year universities in Illinois will join ranks Tuesday to release a joint letter sent to Governor Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes that calls upon the state to commit to a reliable payment schedule for the universities’ state appropriations. 

Who: Presidents and chancellors representing state-supported universities, including Presidents Sharon K. Hahs of Northeastern Illinois University, Stanley O. Ikenberry of the University of Illinois, John Peters of Northern Illinois University and Wayne Watson of Chicago State University, and Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares of the University of Illinois at Chicago and interim Chancellor Robert Easter of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

When: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010

Where: the 15th floor media room at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL
Why: As of last week, the state was $735 million behind on payments to the public universities of their budgeted state funds for the current fiscal year. University officials described the current budget situation as unprecedented and have enacted contingency plans to continue operations. They worry about the long term consequences of these measures on their institutions and the state as a whole. A letter from the presidents and chancellors to the Governor and state Comptroller urges elected leaders to work together to develop long-term financial solutions and provide a payment plan for the fiscal 2010 appropriations.

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Media Contact: Bradley Hoey, Northern Illinois University
Phone: (815) 753-6667
Email: bhoey@niu.edu