Illinois budget impasse hits local people, institutions - Doug Wilson, Herald-Whig

Gov. Bruce Rauner's budget office estimates the state's backlog of unpaid bills will hit a record $13.5 billion by July if the governor and the General Assembly remain deadlocked over a complete spending plan. Western Illinois University president Jack Thomas said the budget crisis has caused some students to enroll outside of Illinois. "The university has been forced to make difficult decisions that have impacted our employees and the region," Thomas said. About 2,700 students at WIU had sought a total of $5.5 million in Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants in each of the past three semesters. The state's failure to pay those grants has concerned students and affected the university's finances. "A budget solution in Springfield is very important to WIU." http://www.whig.com/20161217/illinois-budget-impasse-hits-local-people-institutions