HR1322 LRB095 21462 NHT 51029 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, This State has a nationally respected system of 9
3 public universities and 48 community colleges; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Our higher education system is a critical
5 component to a competitive Illinois workforce and prosperous
6 economy; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Over the last 6 years, the State of Illinois'
8 higher education budget has not been a priority for Governor
9 Blagojevich; and
 
10     WHEREAS, The Governor's budget recommendations since
11 Fiscal Year 2004 have consistently proposed minimal increases
12 or level funding for universities and community colleges; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The lack of investment has (i) forced institutions
14 to increase tuition by double-digit rates, (ii) created
15 institution programmatic shortfalls, and (iii) deferred
16 significant facility maintenance; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Governor Blagojevich informed the higher
18 education community that he will require public universities
19 and community colleges to relinquish Final Year 2008 operations
20 funding; and
 

 

 

HR1322 - 2 - LRB095 21462 NHT 51029 r

1     WHEREAS, Higher education affordability is a key element of
2 educational opportunity for students and families, which is
3 increasingly at risk under the Governor's administration; and
 
4     WHEREAS, This budgetary trend needs to be reversed to keep
5 access to higher education a reality for families and to
6 maintain the academic excellence of our institutions of higher
7 learning; therefore, be it
 
8     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
9 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
10 urge Governor Blagojevich to reconsider his budgetary actions
11 and immediately rescind his request that public universities
12 and community colleges relinquish final Fiscal Year 2008 State
13 funding; and be it further
 
14     RESOLVED, That the Governor, in Fiscal Year 2008 and in
15 future fiscal years, abide by the General Assembly's
16 appropriation levels to institutions of higher education.