Lawmakers see shot to kill scholarships
CHAMPAIGN — There's new momentum to eliminate the controversial General Assembly scholarship program, three local state representatives said Tuesday.
The three — Reps. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, Chad Hays, R-Catlin, and Jason Barickman, R-Champaign — are all co-sponsors of House Bill 201, which would outlaw the century-old scholarship program that cost Illinois' public universities approximately $13.9 million in fiscal year 2010.
State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, also is a sponsor of the bill that was sent to the House Rules Committee in March.
The University of Illinois alone provided 524 General Assembly scholarships in fiscal year 2010 — for which it was not reimbursed by lawmakers — with an estimated value of $5.1 million, according to an Illinois Board of Higher Education report.
Recent revelations that federal investigators are looking into scholarships awarded by three current or former lawmakers and that as many as 122 scholarships were given to students who didn't live in the district of the awarding legislator have raised new ethical questions, the lawmakers said.
All three said they either do not award the scholarships or have stopped awarding them.
They said they hoped to vote for a ban on the scholarships in the Legislature's veto session in October.
"In addition to the corruption that is involved with this, the notion that it is an unfunded mandate to our higher education institutions in an era where we cannot spend any more money, I think that's another reason to fully stop these," Hays said.
"I think the dynamics have changed sufficiently" to pass a ban on the scholarships, Rose said.
"The dynamic is that this has become more and more an issue because of these federal investigations," Barickman said. "Coupled with the financial condition (of the state), I think there's a much increased opportunity for the votes to come our way."
"I don't think there's any time to waste. I think it makes it a little more timely when we're looking at programs of this nature, particularly when they've been wrought with corruption. I think it's a perfect storm for just getting rid of it," Hays said.
He predicted "overwhelming" support in the House to abolish the tuition waivers, and said support is growing in the Senate. Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, supports eliminating the legislative scholarships as well, and has stopped awarding them.
MoreWould anyone know where to find out about the history of these ILGA scholarships? I would like to learn the impetus which lead to their creation (from a state history perspective). I heard that originally they enabled legislators from very rural districts to provide college educations to some of their constituents. This was at a time when a university education was rare and Illinois was much more rural/agrarian. I'm not sure if that is the whole story or not. Could anybody shed some light on this, preferably with actual sources?
All I know is that it was established by law in 1905 as part of a state effort (that stretched back even further) to grant college access to families that couldn't afford it otherwise. The law has been dogged by attempts to repeal it since at least the 70s and probably before that, including a failed attempt by our own Naomi Jakkobson in the 90s. The reason for repeal has been corruption (opponents cite long lists of offenders who give a scholarship to a relative, donor's child, etc) and of course they always talk about the money lost. The cost is lost tuition. My source is various newspaper reports found online (search "illinois general assembly scholarships history 1905") and the book, Laws of the state of Illinois enacted by the General Assembly, Volume 2, p. 380, also available online.
I agree it's time to terminate this program. However, as a former Illinois General Assembly scholarship recipient, it does make me sad. I am from a rural community, and neither my family nor I contributed to the campaign of the representative who awarded me the scholarship. We had never even met her. I recall it being a fairly extensive application process, and I still remember the day that the state rep called me at my summer job to tell me I had won a scholarship. It truly was an honor for me, and it helped my family immensely. The fact that some representatives are misusing this program sickens me, but I am grateful to have benefited years ago. Unfortunately, even if the process were ethical across all districts, it's an unfair financial burden to place on colleges and universities in the current economic climate. Also, other funding sources exist now for educationally disadvantaged, lower income, and first generation college students that hopefully can help to the void left when this program is terminated.
This is a Great Idea, but don't stop here. The 50 % tuition waiver given to university employees at the U of I as well as other State Universities needs to stop as well. The U of I has this trio fighting to get rid of this waste but forgot to tell everyone that the perk they keep close to their vest. Get rid of all the waste now!!
JimZ--
I disagree. There is a significant difference between the full-ride ILGA scholarships, now mainly doled out to the children of donors (even with the legislators' so-called thorough application review processes), and the UI tuition discount waiver.
The 50% tuition waiver is a boon to University employees. As someone who has improved my educational background due to this "waste," I can tell you it is anything but that. I have increased my knowledge and skill sets. I have gained an advanced degree that would have been financially impossible had this not been available. I have several friends who have pursued bachelor's degrees, and are now obtaining master's degrees, using this benefit. They also would not have been able to do so financially if it wasn't for this discount. None of the people who have utilized this waiver, including myself, received this due to a political contribution, patronage, or the "Chicago way" of getting things done.
I take serious issue with your assertion that this is waste. Giving employees the chance to better themselves, improve skills, make themselves more relevant to the changing workplace, and more valuable to their employer is not "waste." It is an investment in oneself, one's organization, community, and state. Don't miss the forest for the trees. The 50% tuition waiver is a true means to improving the University workforce. The ILGA scholarships are political patronage.
I don't agree these scholarships are costing the universities as much as they claim, after all, what does one or two more students eaves dropping in a class really cost... but politicians abusing their powers because they indeed are corrupt and look to influence, indulge and other wise prey on the citizenry is disgusting and no less deserving than an appropriate prison sentence. On the other end of the spectrum, those persons awarded a scholarship through excellence, achievements, etc are and should be encouraged and awarded a means to pursue their gift if financial means are an issue in the hopes their contribution to mankind makes our world a better place to live above and beyond any politician or political crimes of position/powers.
Am I the only one that sees the irony of trashing this program , which for better or worse gives scholarships to taxpayers children , and replacing it with the "Dream Act"? Personally, I would much rather see this program continued than encouraging illegal immigrants moving to Illinois to get a free college education for their children.
Am I the only one that sees the irony of trashing this program , which for better or worse gives scholarships to taxpayers children , and replacing it with the "Dream Act"? Personally, I would much rather see this program continued than encouraging illegal immigrants moving to Illinois to get a free college education for their children.
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