CHICAGO — Illinois State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-5th) filed legislation Tuesday to save Chicago State University from closing.
He co-sponsored House Bill 6409 with State Rep. Reginald Phillips (D-110th). Dunkin said it's a bill that both Democrats and Republicans should support and that Gov. Bruce Rauner should sign.
Phillips wrote on Facebook Tuesday evening that Rauner might sign the legislation, but it depends on House Speaker Michael Madigan's move.
The legislation would appropriate $160 million in emergency assistance for public universities and $40 million in emergency assistance for community colleges. The Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board would allocate emergency funds to institutions that need it the most, such as Chicago State University, Dunkin said.
The proposal wouldn't raise taxes and wouldn't cut social services.
"The legislation has a clear funding mechanism and the Governor has agreed to sign the legislation if House Speaker Michael Madigan calls it for a vote," Phillips said.
Dunkin said Chicago State University students are "real people that cannot afford to play the high stakes political games of Springfield politicians. This is an opportunity to help the thousands of students whose lives hang in the balance. We need to take action immediately."
The bill would be paid for by granting the Rauner's Fiscal Year 2017 budget request to keep money borrowed from other state funds in the General Revenue Fund. This wouldn't require new revenue or any cuts.
“I call on our leaders to call the bill, my colleagues to support this proposal, and I will urge the Governor to sign it,” Dunkin said.
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