Local university says Illinois budget impasse will force budget, job cuts - Shanae Glasgow, WGEM

With a lack of payments from the state, Western Illinois University will begin cutting millions from its budget, WIU President Dr. Jack Thomas said Tuesday. He met with faculty and staff and talked about the budget Tuesday afternoon. Thomas said the cuts will also mean 50 faculty positions will be gone this summer. School leaders say these cuts are necessary to deal with years of delays in state payments, and the state budget crisis is only making it worse. Thomas says the budget battle, combined with years of funding cuts, is forcing the university to slash $7.5 million from its budget, mainly to personnel, programs and services. "We have been doing this for quite some time, but not having a budget really puts a strain on the university." Thomas said. "Now we are having to make cuts." http://www.wgem.com/story/30698545/2015/12/08/local-university-says-state-funding-may-force-job-cuts