College students and administrators gathered at the capitol today to remind lawmakers that the budget impasse is hurting their campuses. Timothy Killeen, president of the University of Illinois, joined top executives from eight other colleges making the rounds of legislative leaders' offices at the statehouse, while students wearing school colors crowded the corridors.
Killeen says he was simply making the case for the future of Illinois.
"Collectively, we educate 200,000 students in Illinois, and of course they become taxpayers and they basically represent the future seed corn for this wonderful state, and we don't want to put that enterprise at risk."
Killeen said lawmakers had been respectful and thoughtful. On Thursday, the nine university presidents will meet with Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has recommended a 31% across-the-board cut for higher education, if and when a budget is passed.
