Southern Illinois University's financially-struggling student newspaper would get an infusion of cash under newly introduced legislation.
A spending measure filed in the Illinois House would give The Daily Egyptian $70,000.
The paper had asked for a $9 per semester student fee, but the SIU Board of Trustees has not given approval.
The Daily Egyptian's faculty adviser, Eric Fidler, says the paper is an important training ground for student journalists.
"It's also important to the people in the community. The [Daily Egyptian] flies off the racks out in town. It's not just read on campus, it's read just as much off campus. It's a free sources of news and information for people," Fidler said.
Fidler says the student fee could raise upwards of $200,000 a year. He says it's necessary for the paper's long term stability.
SIU's new president, Randy Dunn, has said he will not let the paper go under on his watch.