Springfield, IL – Calling it “more political games,” State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) voted against Senate Bill 2043, a measure that leaves out state funding for four-year universities.
“This legislation is not the right thing to do,” Righter said. “We have an opportunity to do what is right, to fund all three legs of higher education during the state’s budget impasse – four-year universities, community colleges, and MAP grant recipients – but Democrats are choosing to play political games, leaving out institutions like Eastern Illinois University.”
Righter is sponsoring legislation that would direct much-needed funding to four-year universities, community colleges, and the MAP program (Senate Bill 2349).
“Eastern Illinois University, its employees, and the students can’t wait any longer,” Righter said. “I am urging the Democrat majority to do the right thing, come to the table, and let’s pass something that’s real, helps all of higher education, and gets critical funding to institutions that need help now, like my alma mater, EIU.”
Righter has been talking and meeting with Eastern Illinois University leaders, workers, and students on a regular basis since it was announced the university will be forced to lay off workers due to the state’s budget impasse.
“The legislation Democrats put forward not only zeros out funding for universities, it sends a message to students at all the four-year universities that they just aren’t that good enough,” Righter said. “To make matters worse, their legislation is the equivalent of writing a check to someone with no money in the bank account. It’s a false promise. My legislation is real, it helps EIU now, and it makes higher education and students a priority.”
