Springfield, Il. – After years of seeking to eliminate the state’s legislative scholarship program, State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) is pleased the Governor is taking steps to abolish the controversial tuition waivers.
“I have long-championed ending the legislative scholarship program, which has become rife with abuse and is a financial drain on our higher education system. Unfortunately, my legislative efforts – most recently Senate Bill 1317 – have been blocked in the Senate. Perhaps with the governor’s intervention, the legislature will finally realize it is time for this program to end,” Radogno said.
Radogno’s statement was issued in response to an announcement that Gov. Quinn used his amendatory veto power August 10 to rewrite House Bill 1353, so that the controversial legislative scholarship program would be abolished. Quinn drew on his constitutional amendatory veto power to amend a section of House Bill 1353, which deals specifically with legislative scholarships, and eliminate the program.
The Legislature will have an opportunity to vote on the recommendation to eliminate the program during the fall veto session.
“At a time when state government is not only looking to cut costs, but to show that we are serious about targeting impropriety and improving transparency, I believe eliminating this program is the right thing to do,” said Radogno.
Radogno has opted out of the General Assembly Scholarship program, instead recommending other higher education assistance programs to families. The program has received criticized in recent years, as allegations of abuse continue to surface in the media. Additionally, the state’s universities are forced to pick up the tab for the program, and Radogno says that those costs are passed onto tuition-paying students in the form of increased tuition, higher fees, and less revenue available for faculty and facilities.
