Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is traveling the state touting his budget proposal to double collegiate MAP Grant funding over five years. Quinn’s stops Wednesday included Bradley University in Peoria and Western Illinois University in Macomb.
The Governor says investing 50 million new dollars in the Monetary Award Program this fiscal year will help give 21,000 more students the means to pay for college. “I just think this is an investment in human minds in bright young people all across our state. who are going to stay in Illinois and help make Illinois an even better state. So we really have to have that enthusiasm to stand together and work together to get our budget passed.”
Quinn says right now about 140,000 students get MAP grants to attend college with more than half being minorities, and many of whom are the first in their families to pursue higher education.
Quinn took a few pictures with those he was on the podium with and immediately left the event without recognizing or speaking to reporters.