NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 

SULLIVAN: NOW IS THE TIME TO END LEGISLATIVE TUITION WAIVERS

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) welcomed the upcoming vote on ending the General Assembly Tuition Waiver Program and said the time is right to bring the controversial program to a close.

“I’m glad to have been able to use tuition waivers to give a number of students in my district the chance to attend state universities,” said Sen. Sullivan, who used a rigorous and objective system to evaluate prospective recipients. “However, I announced in January that I would no longer give out the waivers because of concerns about the cost to universities as well as allegations that other legislators misused the program. I encourage my colleagues to join me now in ending this practice.”

House Bill 3810 was sent to the full Senate for a vote after passing the Executive Committee. A vote by the Senate will likely take place tomorrow. If approved by the House, the bill will be sent to the governor.

“I hope the House will take prompt action to end this program,” Sen. Sullivan said. “Given the state’s financial problems, the General Assembly needs to take a strong stand and stop corruption, waste and fraud whenever the opportunity arises and this is one of those cases.”

In addition to abolishing legislative tuition waivers, the proposal under consideration would establish a task force to examine the other tuition and fee waivers currently received by students at state public universities.

###