ROSELAND — State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-5th) urged the General Assembly Friday not to leave town next week until it sends legislation to Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk that he says will save Chicago State University.
On Tuesday, Dunkin filed House Bill 6409. The legislation would appropriate $160 million in emergency assistance for public universities and $40 million in emergency assistance for community colleges. The proposal wouldn't raise taxes and wouldn't cut social services. The bill would be paid for by granting Rauner's fiscal year 2017 budget request to keep money borrowed from other state funds in the general revenue fund
Rauner said he's open to the bill, the Tribune reported.
“As Chicago State prepares to take further drastic steps to deal with its budget crisis, it’s time for action in Springfield,” Dunkin said. “We have a plan — it’s bipartisan — the governor says he’ll sign it. I call on the speaker and every member of the General Assembly to publicly commit that they will not leave Springfield next week until we send my bill to the governor’s desk for his signature.”
Dunkin reiterated his message at a news conference Friday called to address the university's decision to send layoff notices to its 900 employees.
"It's a travesty that our students all across this city here who attend this school, certainly most of those on the South Side, experienced being held hostage to the whims of Springfield," Dunkin said.
School officials later said they weren't happy Dunkin delivered a political message at the news conference, Fox32 Chicago reported.
Dunkin crashes CSU press conferenceI'VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY: Rep. Ken Dunkin crashed a Chicago State University news conference Friday where they announced up to 900 possible layoffs due to the state budget stalemate. Dunkin is trying to get a bill passed in the Illinois State House that would fund four state universities. He says Gov. Rauner will sign it, even though House Speaker Mike Madigan does not approve. Chicago State was very unhappy about Dunkin showing up at the event, saying they didn't like that he used CSU for a political message.
Posted by Fox 32 Chicago on Friday, February 26, 2016
It is co-sponsored by Democratic Assistant Majority Leader Art Turner, Democratic state Rep. La Shawn Ford and Republican state Rep. Reggie Phillips.
At a rally at Northeastern Illinois University Thursday, protesters demanded that state leaders pass a budget, too, although officials said the school should have enough reserves to last through the fall.
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