Northern Illinois University’s Acting President says it’s time to repair the damage done by the state budget impasse. That includes addressing employee compensation.
Before the current fiscal year, it was two years since Illinois last had a budget. Colleges and universities have been living hand-to-mouth, trying to keep afloat by laying off employees, deferring maintenance and other cost-cutting measures. Acting NIU President Lisa Freeman says, even though the school’s current state allocation is smaller than in past budgets, at least there is now funding to take care of things, like infrastructure, that were neglected during the impasse.
“But to me personally, the priority is making sure that our employees who are dedicated and committed to the university can see some raises as soon as we possibly do it.”
Freeman says that will take some work to figure out, but she has a team on it and hopes to be able to say more soon.
