Public colleges plead for state payments - AMBER KROSEL, Northwest Herald

In recent weeks, Illinois’ public universities have demanded that the state fix its funding problems. The state’s 13 four-year campuses are asking Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes for a reliable payment schedule or some form of a tax increase, while some are requesting additional spending power to make up for overdue money. Nearly $1.4 billion was appropriated from the state to its public universities in the current fiscal year. As of late January, the universities had billed $1.07 billion and received $335 million.