University officials are praising Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget increases for higher education.
It would provide more money for student aid and gives colleges a five percent boost in their operating budgets. Northern Illinois University President Lisa Freeman says the increase won’t undo the damage from previous cuts and the 700 day budget impasse. But it’s a good first step.
"It will help us meet our obligations to invest in people and programs and growth," she said. "But it's one piece of a larger puzzle that we need to put together to get to where we will need to be for long term fiscal sustainability."
Freeman says a proposed increase in money for deferred maintenance will also help NIU and other schools address physical plant problems. She also says more increases will be needed in future years to help NIU and other colleges in their efforts to achieve fiscal sustainability.
