Backers of higher education to rally in Springfield

Supporters of higher education from across the state will rally Wednesday, April 25, in Springfield to raise awareness of the challenges facing higher education in Illinois.

Gathering under the banner of The Higher Education Legislative Coalition, the group will hold a rally at the Illinois Education building in the morning and then spend the afternoon lobbying lawmakers on issues related to higher education.

“Every other group with a vested interest makes their presence known in Springfield, and organizers of this event felt it was time for higher education to do the same,” said Ken Zehnder, associate director of external affairs for NIU. “The goal is to make sure that higher education is a priority in this year’s budget.”

The 10:15 a.m. rally, at the Illinois Education Association parking lot, is intended as an attention-getter designed to remind lawmakers that higher education is a large and important industry in the state. Featured speakers at the event will include legislative leaders, higher education officials and advocates.

In the afternoon, participants will visit the capitol to discuss issues pertinent to higher education across the state, as well as university-specific projects.

Zehnder expects that high on the list of many participants will be ensuring the future health of the state pension system; restoring university funding to 1999 levels; providing money to repair roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure on university campuses; and addressing capital needs.

“On our own campus, we haven’t received approval for any new capital projects since 1998,” Zehnder said. “The governor is proposing almost $20 million for improvements to the Stevens Building, a project that has been on our list for more than 10 years and hopefully will get funded this cycle. It makes an impression on lawmakers when they hear from the people who are affected by such delays – or by lack of funding, or pension troubles, or whatever the case may be.”

Employees interested in attending the event should use a vacation day if attending means they will miss work.

Individuals interested in more information about the Higher Education Legislative Coalition Lobby Day can contact the following individuals for more information:

• Bobbi Cesarek, President of the Supportive Professional Staff Council
• Sara Clayton, President of the Operating Staff Council
• Paul Stoddard, President of the Faculty Senate
• Irene Rubin, NIU Annuitants Association
• Andrew Nelms, NIU Student Trustee

4-9-07