Higher-education cuts would slash economic growth—and students would bleed - MITCH DICKEY, Crain's Chicago Business

I am deeply concerned for my generation of students. State lawmakers claim they want to make college more affordable, but the biggest education debates taking place in our state this legislative session aren't about boosting financial aid or investing in research to spur economic growth. They focus instead on how much to cut. If student voices aren't heard, Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal to slash higher-education funding by more than 31 percent will move forward at the expense of our students and our economy. These cuts would come on the heels of a decade of sharp tuition hikes amounting to a 57 percent increase at public four-year universities in Illinois—exceeding the average 42 percent tuition increase nationally. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150827/OPINION/150829853/rauners-higher-education-cuts-would-slash-economic-growth-hurt