(The following is a paid advertisement.)

In 2000, a statewide poll found that 88% of Illinois residents strongly or somewhat agree that a college degree has become as important as a high school diploma used to be. Unfortunately, the level of state funding for higher education is the same as it was nearly a decade ago. It is essential that higher education funding is not lost in the shuffle.

An investment in public higher education will grow leaders in business, education, social services and the private sector, as well as good consumers, good taxpayers and good citizens. The Illinois Higher Education Legislative Coalition is working to turn the tide this year and provide additional funding for higher education in Illinois.

Higher education in Illinois is many things to many people:

✪ 355,684 students attend 48 community colleges

✪ 202,236 students attend 9 public universities on 12 campuses

✪ 31,775 bachelor’s degrees conferred in 2005

✪ 25,158 associate degrees conferred in 2005

✪ 11,826 master’s degrees conferred in 2005

✪ Public institutions of higher learning employ more than 54,000 full time employees.

Making sure that higher education is affordable and pro­vides the highest level of career preparation for Illinois citizens is the common goal that we all must work toward.