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Maybe never?

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* A really nice man who helped me with some house-related stuff last week asked if I thought we’d have a state budget in January. He was laid off at IDNR and was told at the time that he could have his job back when a budget was passed. So, he was doing odd jobs in the interim to try and make some ends meet.

I didn’t want to lie, so I told him it was very possible that we’d never see a FY16 budget deal. He was pretty bummed out and I don’t blame him.

* Anyway, university chiefs are starting to fear the same result, or, more accurately, the lack thereof…

Even as members of Southern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees voted Thursday to approve a number of spending measures to keep the university moving forward, President Randy Dunn cautioned state funding is more tenuous than ever.

In fact, he said, chatter is growing louder in Springfield that public colleges and universities may never receive fiscal year 2016 funding. Lawmakers would choose instead to skip the appropriation.

“Obviously, that would be disastrous,” Dunn said, noting that SIU will “limp through” to the end of the fiscal year either way.

Beyond that, though, Dunn had more questions than answers about the impact of a full year without state funding.

“If we don’t see any appropriation for this year, where does the money then come from to … get all of these things paid back and get vendors caught up?” he wondered. “So that’s our big worry there.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:46 pm

Comments

Re: Dunn’s comments, the money comes from borrowing and/or a tuition hike. More great policy outcomes from the Rauner administration!

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:49 pm
At what point is there disciplinary action against the GA leaders and governor for failing to uphold their constitutional responsibility of crafting a budget?

Comment by Matt Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:52 pm
Remember students who don’t graduate on time or have to drop out, this is only “short term pain.”

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:53 pm
I’m beginning to think Rauner will never really put forward a budget for 4 years. Just govern by consent decrees, court orders, borrowing, and funky budget shell games. Once there is a budget, any budget, the leverage is gone for his runaground agenda.

Comment by There is power in a union... Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:54 pm
@Matt- Go vote and take what ever disciplinary action you deem appropriate.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:54 pm
If there is any good news to come out of this it’s that the initial concerns the universities may not open in January did not come to pass. That’s not much, but it’s something.

Western’s and Southern’s approaches to the problem have already been written about, but I have also heard EIU and CSU are at least exploring taking out lines of credit.

Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:56 pm
To the Post,

What I know;

The expense of college, Getty v your biggest bang for your buck, with accreditation, monetary awards, in-state slots…

There is a reason parents with seniors in High School head to neighboring states now, let alone learning that 2016-2017 school year will mean cuts at the institutions, for possibky the same, if not increased tuition and fees.

The U of I, even with the accredited, well-respected programs they offer… today… will not be “enough” to keep many Illinois seniors here to learn from the state universities found in Illinois.

The devastating damage goes beyond now, six months from now, a year from now…

But, maybe some lucky Illinois kid will sleep in the Rauner Dorm, learn in the Rauner Library…at Dartmouth.

Maybe, just maybe, that senior, this year, can also be from Payton Prep, just to complete the picture.

As long as it doesn’t effect the governor, higher ed will suffer like everyone else, including Ounce of Prevention.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:57 pm
And it’s worth remembering that with many state programs, the people who aren’t being served — and their families and their communities — will be screwed forever after this. It’s not a matter of making up for lost time once a budget kicks in.

CCBYS, for example, serves families in crisis. That crisis doesn’t wait. If we can’t support those families right now, the damage is done. And it’s done now. The same with Redeploy Illinois.

You don’t get a do-over for being a troubled 15-years old after the budget is in place. Women who are raped can’t put their trauma on hold until there’s a fiscal resolution. That damage occurs now. That damage lasts a life time. And in the long run that damage costs all of us so much more, in both fiscal and human terms.

A bell can’t be un-rung, Illinois. And this bell tolls for thee.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:03 pm
Budget will be passed after 2016 elections…mark my words! bwhahahahah!

Comment by Tumbleweed lines Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:04 pm
I already know one young person getting bills for his last semester and no way to pay them
He skipped last semester due to this but wants to finish in the spring.

Comment by present Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:09 pm
Try no budget until after the general election? Does the post primary/pre-general landscape look more appealing to legislators contemplating a revenue and spend vote? How long do committees have to slate candidates in the general? With that Rauner money they can bankroll anyone? How long does the paranoia of an opponent hold off a vote?

The courts have already proven they will protect people on Medicaid and receiving disability services from the state. Would the courts not order payment to schools if no budget gets passed in May?

exhausting.

Comment by Exhausting Level of Absurdity Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:10 pm
Colleges will run lean, eliminate “unnecessary” programs, fire surplus workers and still get students through. Then Rauner will say “See? I told you there was plenty of fat.” Then the new budget can start from the bottom. Genius!!!

Comment by Dr X Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:11 pm
To be fair, Rauner said he’s been successful at everything he’s ever done, he didn’t say he’d be successful in the future. To me, not having a FY16 budget would make Rauner the least successful Governor in state history.

Comment by AC Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:11 pm
This is how “we shake-up Springfield” !

Comment by forwhatitsworth Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:11 pm
==- There is power in a union… - Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 3:54 pm: “I’m beginning to think Rauner will never really put forward a budget for 4 years. Just govern by consent decrees, court orders, borrowing, and funky budget shell games. Once there is a budget, any budget, the leverage is gone for his runaground agenda.” ==

You are correct. Rauner will not agree to any budget deal until he wins his political agenda. Otherwise known as, Rauner’s Turn-around (TA)agenda (with includes passing a law to make unions useless in IL.)

Comment by Mama Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:13 pm
Look, the Governor is going without his appropriated state funds this year (ie salary), so he is sacrificing just like everyone else. You don’t hear him whine and complain about it.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:16 pm
It would be nice to have an FY 16 budget before his FY 17 Budget address on February 17.

Comment by Gator Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:21 pm
I feel for the people from IDNR & other agencies whom were laid off, and was told at the time that they could have their jobs back when a budget was passed. I have a feeling those folks need to look for another permanent (non-state) job. I don’t look for any budgets to pass while Rauner is governor. I pray I’m wrong.

Comment by Mama Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:22 pm
I remain uncertain the Governor has any interest in any of his Turnaround Agenda talking points. Without a budget, the day is hastened when tax free Illinois Bonds, maybe not just State bonds, but University Bonds, Municipality Bonds, Convention Center Bonds, Water and Sewer Bonds, ect get down graded to junk.
Downgrade = volatility = trading = commission = profits for Citadel the 800 gorilla of Interest Rate Swaps.
Headline in 2016: “Deadbeat Illinois to issue $10 billion in high yield tax free junk bonds.”
The Rascals who figured this all out call it “winning”. Only three more years…hang on, the worst is yet to come.

Comment by Beaner Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:23 pm
- Exhausting Level of Absurdity -

“How long do committees have to slate candidates in the general?”

I’ve heard this being thrown about … can County Committees really just slide in a General Election candidate if nobody submitted petitions to run in the primary?

(And, if so, I’m seconding your question - what is the deadline for that?)

Comment by Sam Weinberg Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:26 pm
Hard to see how the scenario from this FY to the next is going to materially change. I would have thought it preposterous to go through an entire fiscal year without a budget back in July but it appears that is exactly what may occur. I hope that cooler heads can prevail at some point and the leaders and Governor can find common ground. They owe that to us.

Comment by Stones Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:26 pm
This is outrageous, but not at all surprising. My nephew will graduate this spring from the UofI and my niece still has 2 years to go at ISU ( unless she decides to transfer ).

I know we have serious financial problems in Illinois, but when our leaders chose to ignore one of our greatest assets and are denying funding to our Universities and Community Colleges, this hits at all of us and impacts this state.

I do not ever want to hear the pompous polemics from politicians of either party about the importance of higher education unless they can honestly say what they have done to restore at least level funding to any institutions.

Point in fact, the Trustees of my local CC is proposing its third tax increase in less than a month. Taxes here have increased close to 100% in the last 10 years. The State owes them $10 million, they are already cutting back some programs and may have to eliminate some entirely ( programs run for Dept of Corrections and various adult ed programs )are issuing bonds and are setting up lines of credit.

How are we ever going to remain competitive unless we maintain the level of quality at our institutions that should be educating and training working people who will hopefully be able to stay in Illinois and become productive members of our communities.

The apologists will blame this on Madigan, but the problems are much deeper.

Comment by illini Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:28 pm
==Maybe never?==

The sad reality too many people will be facing going into the new year. Maybe it’s time for the universities to do something more drastic, like sending students home for the semester. That’ll shake up Springfield better than Rauner’s Turnaround Takedown.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:29 pm
Rauner gets this straight from “The Captains of Industry Playbook.” Chapter One: “Educate People Just Barely Enough To Produce Obedient Employees, But Not So Much That You Risk Having Them Think For Themselves.”

Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:32 pm
@OW

“The U of I, even with the accredited, well-respected programs they offer… today… will not be “enough” to keep many Illinois seniors here to learn from the state universities found in Illinois.”

As an alum, I have to admit that those “well-respected” programs have been a rapidly declining list for decades now, and it has nothing to do with the budget.

Engineering, Ag, some basic sciences and accounting are still strong, but most are just meh.

Highly qualified Illinois students are being denied the opportunity to matriculate there in the “money” curricula so that the school can get more money from foreign students.

My twins could’ve gone there in the business curricula (they’re in supply chain and logistics), but with a heck of a lot more beautiful campus and a MUCH higher rated SC&L program, ASU’s Carey school of business made going to U of I a non-starter. Increasing numbers of top Illinois students are going to Purdue, Wisconsin and Iowa for business and engineering, and as they graduate, they’re glad they did.

Even ASU, about 2000 miles away, is getting about 300 new students in each class from Illinois, second only to Cali.

The biggest negative I’ve heard from students who reject Illinois is the “culture” and “feel” of the place. When they visit they feel more like a revenue source than valued customers.

Kinda like the taxpayers who are paying the freight to keep Illinois governments afloat….

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:36 pm
Isnt too obvious to governor and GA that a serious exodus of professors will occur wreaking havoc on the state universities reputations? Not trying to be simplistic but SIU School of Medicine could lose a lot of talent.

Comment by BaronvonHammer Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:41 pm
BTW, most schools give academic scholarships, UIUC doesn’t. My kids have $6,000 per year academic scholarships at ASU bringing total classes, books and pretty fancy housing costs to under $17K per year each. Tuition is only about $5K per year after scholarship. UIUC would’ve cost me about $27K apiece in business. Better programs, better campus, hotter coeds (NOBODY lets themselves get fat out there) lower price. Why would anyone stay in Illinois state schools? NIU is mediocre, EIU is drying up in enrollment, Western is a last resort and UIC, where you can get a pretty good engineering education, is just ok.

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:43 pm
The governor is shameless.

Repubs should be ashamed.

What is the proper response to an fy 17 budget address, when we dont have an fy 16 budget? Is there a sufficient pressure point out there? Junk bond status? Closing universities? Refusing to accept state insurance?

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:48 pm
It’s about time state universities got a hair cut. Long overdue. I am sure their response will be to raise tuition. Put some ordinary Joes and Janes on the Board and let’s start cutting from the top. Just got my Illinois Farm Bureau update, and sounds like new Ag Secretary Poe going to load up his beaurocracy with a bunch of new hires. I wonder why the fiscal conservative RAUN Man is worried about the farm vote?

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:49 pm
@ Mr. JM, you are absolutely right WRT CCBYS and Redeploy. And in fact we will be serving those kids no matter what, as they move into higher level programs covered by consent decrees at DJJ and DCFS.

@OW, I have a junior in HS. We are looking at colleges right now. We are definitely not putting any Illinois schools on my son’s list — and he is a bright kid — 3.9 GPA at (wait for it) Payton. His dad bleeds U of I orange and blue, so there’s a strong family desire to have our kids attend there. But in this environment? No way.

Comment by Pawn Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:52 pm
I not sure if it had been mentioned earlier, but WIU is laying off 50 faculty.
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/12/14/50-faculty-jobs-will-be-eliminated-western-illinois

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:57 pm
=Arizona Bob=

Are you sure your kids didn’t want to go to school at ASU for other reasons? For the partying or maybe to get away from hearing you bash Illinois everyday (snark).

Tuition at the University of Illinois is a problem, but their engineering and business school are top notch. Not to mention with Research Park in Champaign, many Fortune 500 Companies have satellite offices on-campus to help recruit future college graduates. Hopefully the new administration can grow off this because rising tuition costs are a problem. A great college education can only go so far, when other schools can promise a great education, college experience, and lower tuition costs.

In regards to the growth in foreign students, especially in China, who immediately go back to Asia after their degree. I would like to see even higher tuition and potential reduction from their future paycheck for their first ten years of work, to help subsidize tuition for students who stay in Illinois to work. I believe Wisconsin does something similar if students decide to work in Wisconsin after college.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 4:57 pm
No budget would make it interesting regarding all those who are floating the state on the promise of future payments. I can hear it now, “sorry you trusted Rauner now you’re out of luck, money and inventory.”

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:03 pm
“Better programs, better campus, hotter coeds (NOBODY lets themselves get fat out there) lower price.”

Wow… way to go with the body shaming AB…

Sorry the girls at other schools don’t meet your lofty standards…

Surprised you didn’t somehow work in a tired diatribe about banning teacher strikes while you were at it…

Comment by There is power in a union... Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:07 pm
- Pawn -,

It’s a shame, but as a parent, you are doing what you feel you need to do, I respect that. Best of luck to your Junior.

- AB -

Your comment on the CTU Post, it’s bad form.

I read your comment to me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:09 pm
This is about breaking the universities so they can be purchased cheaply and turned into private universities. I’m not sure if they plan to make Community Colleges private too to not. The take over of education (K-Drs) will be no different than businesses being taken over by corporate raiders.

Comment by Mama Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:11 pm
To the Post,

My heart goes out to the person that helped Rich and all, including those out of state government, that have had their lives changed because of short term pain.

Just ain’t right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:27 pm
==because of short term pain.==

It’s not short term any longer. For many, it may be permanent.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:30 pm
===It’s not short term any longer. For many, it may be permanent.===

You’re On It.

Ms. Arduin is smiling somewhere.

Makes me very sad, no snark.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:32 pm
“As long as it doesn’t effect the governor, higher ed will suffer like everyone else, including Ounce of Prevention.” Thank you, Willy.

“A bell can’t be un-rung, Illinois. And this bell tolls for thee.” Thank you, Mr JM.

Henry Francis - are you serious?

Norseman - exactly to my previous point - local institutions are going into debt ( and wanting to raise taxes ) expecting that past due monies will eventually be paid. At what cost?

Comment by illini Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:33 pm
And Rock Valley College is laying off 30 non-faculty and non union personnel.
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20151209/NEWS/151209544

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:36 pm
@Blue Dog

The have been getting cuts for years. I don’t know what Illinois higher ed system you’re looking at.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:38 pm
MrJM is correct. There’s “short term pain,” and there’s unrecoverable damage occurring now.

And what was a fairly fixable gap between the actual contending budget proposals in May, has ballooned due to this delay. What was workable on the numbers (cuts and taxes) then, is much tougher now.

Comment by walker Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:45 pm
50 faculty to be laid off at WIU, mix of tenured and untenured, if BOT goes along with president’s recommendation. Permanent job losses. Means bigger classes, less personal attention, reduced learning opportunities. Major economic impact on surrounding community. Here’s a shout out to all our whiz kids in Springfield . . . no, wait, I’m not allowed to say what I really want to.

Comment by OFFM16 Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:46 pm
===The biggest negative I’ve heard from students who reject Illinois is the “culture” and “feel” of the place. When they visit they feel more like a revenue source than valued customers.===

It’s hilarious that you talk up Arizona State, Bob, and then say this, because Arizona State’s probably one of the worst modern-day culprits of treating students as a revenue source first and foremost (at least among public schools). I mean, the system has a 6-year graduation rate of under 60%.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:47 pm
The irony is that Rauner claims that he likes to keep taxes low. Because of his irresponsible actions, taxes will have to be higher than what they would have to be normally just to dig us out of this mess. All because he wants to reduce wages on average working people. I don’t think a lot of people realize yet how much damage he is going to dole out over the next 3 years. Once he’s gone it’s going to take a while to dig out of this mess.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 5:50 pm
“As an alum, I have to admit that those “well-respected” programs have been a rapidly declining list for decades now, and it has nothing to do with the budget.

Engineering, Ag, some basic sciences and accounting are still strong, but most are just meh.”

Arizona: proof?

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 6:07 pm
It is infuriating that the State continues to collect our tax money but refuses to develop a budget to spend it. I feel like we should all get a rebate on our 2015 taxes next year.

Comment by Just Me Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 6:14 pm
I guess we are already shifting to the discussion of whether and how this fy budget could be folded into and dealt with in the discussions for next fy’s budget. At some point, it will make more sens to deal with them together instead of using up time treating them sequentially. When will that time be. I thought there would be a deal in January for this fy, accompanied by a non-retroactive, temporary income tax increase plus borrowing, fund sweeping and the usual accounting tricks. But I suppose there could be a deal after the March primaries that covers both fiscal years. We are in uncharted lands here.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 6:36 pm
Note to Republicans: No state jobs for you under Rauner.

Comment by Liberty Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 6:56 pm
Thanks Bruce, and thanks GOP for doublin’ down on Madigan and a tax increase.
How are you going to justify your way out of this one?

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 7:11 pm
Just like corporate America, were the big execs cash out quite handsomely, our state universities are AWASH in administrative abuses.. $450k bonuses? $400k pensions. Let’s keep the rank and file faculty and cut the bigwigs. Don’t we, the citizens of Illinois own our state universities? Why should the likes of Jim Edgar be knocking down an extra $200k, while he’s collecting a big fat pension? I feel sorry for students, but really, the admin should be leading by example during tough times.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 7:22 pm
Blue dog - I agree with you.
As far as the U of I goes, the citizens of Illinois only own about 16%, as of last year.

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 7:31 pm
If Bruce wants to deal with abuses at our institutions, then he should be a man about it and go after them one by one, prioritizing them by egregiousness.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 7:42 pm
AB— I can tell you why the RAUN Man doesn’t try to offer cuts to any budgets… He doesn’t care about fiscal sanity. He only cares about busting up unions. He is not a conservative, he’s an idealogue.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 7:49 pm
Maybe stop all of those paid sabaticals, and ending Professor Emeritus titles, along with those “Fellows” and other honorary titles which universities pay for. Maybe reduce some of the extravagant spending and focus on actually teaching people something they can find useful in life….like a JOB! And that is all I have to say about that.

Comment by Doi Chef Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 7:59 pm
If it weren’t so destructive and stupid, it would be hilarious farce to continue to watch some alleged leaders of the Illinois Republican Party spin themselves silly pretending that it’s a-ok to inflict this kind of damage in the name of “structural reforms” that cannot be articulated after nearly a year.

Unfortunately, it is destructive and stupid and therefore not funny.

Not the GOP I grew up with. We should have listened to Dillard, Brady and Rutherford when they warned us about the Griff and Rauner Dilettante money last year.

The GOP seems to have come to terms with it though.

It’s like the old joke, with the punchline being, “honey, we’ve already established what you are, now we’re talking price.”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 8:12 pm
Danny Noonan: It looks like my folks won’t have enough money to put me through college.

Judge Smails: Well, the world needs ditch diggers, too.

“Caddyshack” (1980)

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 8:23 pm
Sorry folks for any misunderstanding - my post was very much snark. While the guv has gone without his $170k salary (which won’t even buy him a decent Bordeaux), he has made millions by keeping the tax rate low.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 8:34 pm
Unpaid vendors and others providing services to the state normally go through the Court of Claims (state’s “small claims court”) if appropriations are insufficient or if bills can’t be submitted in time (normally Aug 31 lapse period end). May be a record year for the Court of Claims.

Comment by justacitizen Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 10:46 pm
justacitizen, there’s nothing normal about what’s happening.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 14, 15 @ 11:16 pm
I think struggling universities sets a good business climate. snark

Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Tuesday, Dec 15, 15 @ 7:49 am
Willful damage for ideological purposes. To Rauner and other super-wealthy people and their media mouthpieces and supporters, who’ve been horribly victimized in Illinois, the state is terrible and needs to be broken and remade. This is part of the process.

All the permanent damage will make us better in the long run. Short term pain for long term gain.

I’m waiting to see if Rauner claims a victory with RTW passage in Lincobshire yesterday.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Dec 15, 15 @ 8:36 am