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* Comptroller Susana Mendoza has been writing letters to the editor this week. From her letter to the Southern Illinoisan…
At high school graduation parties this month, after congratulating the bright grad and their proud parents, make a note to ask where they plan on attending college.
Thanks to the state budget crisis, the higher education destination of choice for many Illinois teens is “out of state.” Every year, about 32,000 Illinois high school grads go out-of-state to college while only about 16,000 out-of-staters come here. That’s a net loss of 16,000 college bound students to out-of-state schools. They’re fleeing because they know the future of our state’s higher education institutions is unpredictable.
Under Gov. Bruce Rauner, funding for public four-year universities has been cut by $1.4 billion, or 60 percent. Funding for community colleges has dropped by two-thirds, or nearly half a billion dollars.
By failing to fund MAP grants, Rauner has put more than 100,000 Illinois students at risk of being unable to complete their studies.
Funding cuts have caused state universities to eliminate 1,400 jobs since Gov. Rauner took office.
There are no short-term solutions — state universities can’t fund capital improvements or borrow their way to temporary relief because downgrades from credit agencies have lowered their bond rating to junk status.
The impact of Rauner’s policies extends beyond campuses. Our universities employ more than 175,000 Illinoisans and generate more than $28 billion in annual economic activity. Studies show every $1 invested in higher education generates $4 in economic activity. Every lost job represents a family, a homeowner and a neighbor. Every lost dollar hurts businesses and impacts funding for local schools, infrastructure and first responders. Corporate leaders should be up in arms about losing our best and brightest.
* The letters are “personalized” for the region. Here’s her letter that appeared in the QC Times…
Western Illinois University’s budget has been cut by 55 percent since 2015. Degree programs have been eliminated, more than 200 staffers have been let go so far and mandatory staff furloughs have been implemented. Student fees have been hiked and the school is making $20 million in cuts.
So what should our college communities and students do amidst Rauner’s wreckage?
First, see how your local legislators have responded to the state’s higher education crisis. Remaining silent while our historic public institutions are decimated is unacceptable. Though it was recently unthinkable, some won’t survive to benefit future graduates without immediate relief.
We need a budget now. Legislators can stop the destruction taking place in their backyards and start rebuilding our state colleges and universities. The most important step is putting our communities ahead of Rauner’s political agenda.
But don’t just take it from me. Before they leave town, ask a college-bound senior what they think about the damage being done to our public universities. Their high school civics lessons will still be fresh in their minds – they can probably even explain how the state constitution says it’s the governor’s responsibility to introduce a balanced budget for the General Assembly to act upon – and they can truly put this unfolding tragedy in perspective for you.
* Related…
* Woman on Fire: The Illinois budget debacle has left both sides bruised, but state comptroller Susana Mendoza has emerged from the fight more powerful than ever
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:28 pm
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High schools still teach Civics?
Comment by KV Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:38 pm
Mendoza ain’t wrong.
When a state university or 3 close, will the Raunerites in the House and Senate that have those state universities in their districts cheer or just celebrate with Gov. Rauner.
There isn’t much seen that shows Raunerites want state universities open.
Students are leaving, schools aren’t fully funded, and Rauner and Raunerites see no problems.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:42 pm
When good students leave, it is a brain drain, eroding the quality of our work force because many of those students who attend out-of-state universities will never return.
And the impact is intergenerational. When their parents pass away, wealth earned in this state will also leave as the estate passes on to these young people who left Illinois to attend college. This is wealth that will then be invested elsewhere instead of Illinois. The negative ripple effect goes on and on.
Rauner’s class warfare is ruining this state and the impact will be felt for decades.
Comment by Scamp640 Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:47 pm
One thing for sure, she is cashing in on every opportunity to politic. But isn’t that what all career politicians are supposed to do?
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:50 pm
–Every year, about 32,000 Illinois high school grads go out-of-state to college while only about 16,000 out-of-staters come here. That’s a net loss of 16,000 college bound students to out-of-state schools. They’re fleeing because they know the future of our state’s higher education institutions is unpredictable.–
While I’m sure this is true to an extent, as students and parents will vote with their wallets if they can get a cheaper, comparable education elsewhere, it should be noted that Illinois historically has exported students. We’re the biggest state by population in the upper Midwest, and we are surrounded by less populous states with large universities with spots to fill and money to throw at them. Illinois kids have been going to schools like Iowa, Wisconsin, Mizzou, the Michigan schools, the Indiana schools, etc. since time immemorial. The current fiscal issues certainly exacerbate the issue, but it is not a new phenomenon.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:52 pm
blue dog dem
I agree with Mendoza and this needs to be said.
Rauner in his first term has been politicking more so than all the career politicians combined. What say ye?
Comment by Real Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:55 pm
- Ron Burgundy -
You’re not wrong, but I don’t think IL has been second, only to New Jersey, in the exporting of students to other states for higher education.
As for money thrown at students, that is very true and parents, I’m sure, are pleasantly surprised, but just last year UIUC tried to address students leaving, lowering standards where counsellors were surprised students “got in”, and understanding that monies do matter as well.
There are other places besides border states enticing out students too. It’s not just proximity where the poaching is occurring.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:59 pm
This woman should be the Democratic candidate for Governor. She has the true fire in the belly that others only think they have…
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Nice picture of her next to the new “used” deluxe $32K SUV that was paid for by your tax dollars
Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:02 pm
The governor who seems to survive politically by tearing down our state, has succeeded in driving Illinoisans from their state universities.
It’s a fact.
Rauner wins when each of us loses.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:05 pm
If only it were in the job description to be a partisan hack for Madigan.
Oh wait, maybe it is.
Comment by Lance Mannion Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:07 pm
I have been wondering for some time now whether the lack of college funding in Illinois is just collateral damage from the budget crisis, or if there is a darker agenda afoot.
It appears to me that some factions on the right would be quite happy if the only people who attended college would be those who could afford to do so, and only to certain universities. Most recent example is Trumps speech the other day pushing trade schools.
I thought those days of trying to keep the populace ignorant were gone, but now I’m not so sure. Tell me I’m wrong.
Comment by Paddy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:09 pm
As I said this time last year, take your own straw poll of the students you know. I look back 20 years ago and it really wasn’t a consideration to leave the state for College. Now, the incentives for “average” students would blow your mind. The reason many students are choosing out of state is for the same reason I didn’t 20 years ago. Money. It’s cheaper and a better education now elsewhere. Ask yourself, if you were to invest in a College Education today, wouldn’t you look elsewhere? This is not news to any one paying attention.
Comment by Echo The Bunnyman Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:10 pm
If Mendoza is reelected in 2018, she could be a formidable candidate for Governor in 2022.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:13 pm
The Governor wants Illinois to be…Kansas?
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:15 pm
With respect RNUG I think she could clean the field, on both sides, now..
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:19 pm
Texas Red
LOL. That all you got? Meanwhile, we accrue $2 million a day in interest every day without a budget.
Grow up.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:20 pm
Those very same budgets that Miss Mendoza voted for time and time again helped create this mess we are all in. She is great at pointing fingers but she needs to point her thumb at herself also.
Comment by Inspector Gadget Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:29 pm
===Those very same budgets that Miss Mendoza voted for time and time again…===
… fully funded higher education.
Bruce Rauner and Raunerites have refused to fully fund higher education.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Susanna is spot on. Keep up the good fight; our state needs it. What Rauner and his followers are doing to higher ed is a crime and will damage our state for generations.
Comment by Tired teacher Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:34 pm
Fully funded higher education. And bankrupted the state in the meantime.
Comment by Common Sense Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:42 pm
States can’t declare bankruptcy.
So you admit Rauner and Raunerites refuse to fully fund higher education?
Charleston, Carbondale, Macomb, Edwardsville… why won’t Rauner just say in these towns, on those campuses…
“I refuse to fully fund your university. Purposely. I want you closed”.
Why won’t Rauner do that?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:45 pm
I suspect the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will realize a third year in a row of record freshman enrollment.
Meanwhile check out Mizzou and their recent incoming freshman classes and overall enrollment.
Comment by Piece of Work Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:54 pm
Out of state universities are reaping the rewards of our state’s indifference toward it’s high school grads. Mine are in fine universities out of state and those universities are happy to have them. Their friends also attend a variety of schools out of state
- Arizona, South Dakota, etc. not just Midwest states.
But equally important are the businesses that suffer when college students aren’t there–even in summer when the students go home. Does our governor care about those businesses and the economies of those towns or are they just collateral damage in the whole scheme? Just too bad if they close up and the town dries up? Sure seems like he doesn’t care about those business climates while preaching about robust business economies.
Comment by AnonymousOne Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:56 pm
===I suspect the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ===
We have more than one university in this state.
Don’t argue like a child.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 2:58 pm
To the Illinois/Mizzou issue. Illinois is keeping enrollment up by heavily recruiting international students who pay full out of state tuition. The population of Chinese nationals as students there has increased dramatically in the past decade.
Mizzou’s issues can largely be placed at the feet of the fact that not two years ago a faculty member threatened to have a student physically assaulted on camera. The unrest there combined with the inept administrative response to it has led to a 35% reduction in enrollment, seven dormitories closed, future construction halted, layoffs, budget cuts and a move to force freshmen to live on campus. All this from a Post-Dispatch article earlier this week. Mizzou is the exception, and their problems are self-inflicted. With all the other options out there, why send a kid there? Other neighboring state universities appear to be doing fine.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:03 pm
== With respect RNUG I think she could clean the field, on both sides, now.. ==
Maybe, but I don’t think it is her opportune time … even in a state that did vote for Hillary.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:05 pm
Also as an anecdote, I have a soon to be high school senior considering colleges right now. The list of possible schools is still in the mid teens, but only 2 are in-state public schools. 4 more are in-state private schools and the remainder are in other Midwest states and on both coasts. We haven’t figured cost into the equation at this point, it’s just been a function of what schools have good programs in the particular major. We’ve stressed as parents that while sticker price is a guide, the bottom line numbers won’t be known until financial aid awards are sent out. I fully expect some private schools to be able to match or beat the numbers from the in-state publics, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Will the cost issue be a factor for us? Absolutely. Will it be the driving one? Probably not. Just one family’s perspective.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:10 pm
- Ron Burgandy- Great advice for people hope they listen. We have four in college and it isn’t cheap that’s for sure. But the small schools are very generous and a lot of out of state University’s are also. Two are in Catholic University’s,one in a major Midwest University and the other is in a small college. Less then 50k for all, but you need to work for every dime available. Good grades go a long way also……
Comment by Inspector Gadget Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:34 pm
Illinois funding of higher education has trended downward in recent years. But, so too has funding in other states. A recent study sought to connect the nationwide increase in student expenses to the reduction in state financing but failed in that attempt. Instead, it appears that the schools themselves are also responsible for the increased tuition and expenses. Some blame may be put on the availability of easy student loans and administrator’s willingness to spend the available cash.
Comment by Keyser Soze Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:45 pm
Inspector Gadget - Thanks. I meant to include publics from other states as possibly ending up cheaper at the end of the day as well. Some have incentives such as treating kids as in-state after a year, etc.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:53 pm
-Ron Burgundy- You sound like me one year ago. The kid did not even look at public in-state schools and will be going out of state private for close to the same cost as the in-state flagship.
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:58 pm
—Instead, it appears that the schools themselves are also responsible for the increased tuition and expenses.—
Are you blind. UIUC schools alone have seen their STATE funding drop by $700,000,000
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:02 pm
Kansas has a 10,000$ Midwest transfer for kids from four states and Illinois is one of them. My nephew going and it’s only costing the parents 9k a year after all grants.
Comment by 19th ward Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:04 pm
–Nice picture of her next to the new “used” deluxe $32K SUV that was paid for by your tax dollars–
Burn!
Meanwhile, the payroll cost of moving Munger and her posse of 23 from the comptroller’s office over to the governor’s office is $1.8 million a year.
All vital positions, I’m sure.
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170106/23-former-munger-workers-hired-by-rauner-administration
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 5:33 pm
Yeah Tex, she looks short but she’s actually tall enough to stand over the door of an SUV. Great take. Super insightful.
Comment by P. Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 6:01 pm
Just like Rauner, the Mendooza line will find it easier to campaign than govern. What’s that’s old Chicago proverb,?…”talk is cheap, but….”
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 8:57 pm
Word. Go easy on the gov. As one commemtator said earlier in the week, he is a fiscal conservative…ya know?.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 9:15 pm
== he is a fiscal conservative ==
Yes, he is doing a great job of holding down his personal taxes …
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 9:20 pm